Manchester City vs Dinamo Zagreb Predictions

Manchester City kept their Premier League challenge going with a 3-1 win at Everton, but it’s the Champions League which seems to have their focus this year. Pep Guardiola and City each have unfinished business in the elite club tournament, while City’s recent form in Europe does point to them making a splash this season. They have little to fear in the group, with another three points likely on Tuesday night.

City’s 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk has left them in a position of great power. They are helped by the fact that their two biggest group rivals – Shakhtar and Atalanta – both have to play their games away from their home stadium. That’s eased their fears on the road, while at home they’ve won nine of their last 11 group stage games. That run should hit double figures this week.

Dinamo Zagreb currently lead the way in this group following their 4-0 win over Atalanta, but that’s likely to be shortlived. The visitors are preparing for their first trip to City, which has seen them priced up as massive outsiders. The Croatian side were beaten to nil in each of their three away games the last time they made the group stage.

Given City’s recent European form, we expect goals in this clash. They hit at least four goals in three of their four knockout games earlier this year, while their 3-0 success at Shakhtar has seen them kick off this campaign in style. At the Etihad, things are even better for the hosts. City have won their last four Champions League home games by an aggregate score of 19-4, with the odds favouring a fifth on the bounce.

Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk was Pep Guardiola’s 30th managerial UEFA Champions League win by three or more goals – only Carlo Ancelotti (32 wins) has more by that margin in the history of the competition. Among those thumping wins for Guardiola is a 5-0 victory over Zagreb with Bayern Munich back in 2015.

We are backing another big win for City, who should cement their place at the summit of this group with a midweek victory. City will expect their scoring streak to continue, while Zagreb’s eight losses to nil in their last nine group stage trips in this competition suggests there will be considerable daylight between these two. We’re backing City to win by at least three clear goals, with City -2 our tip along with a 4-0 correct score prediction.