Champions League
2011-10-18 - Manchester City vs Villarreal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Champions League Match Day 3
Tuesday 18 October 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester City
The Champions League was supposed to be the beginning of an exciting new era for Manchester City, but the last game they played in this competition was overshadowed by the Carlos Tevez refusal to come on as a substitute in the loss in Munich. What hasn't been overshadowed is the need for 3 points this time out.
City drew their opening game of the Group Stages with Napoli at the Etihad Stadium and followed that up with a 2-0 defeat in Bayern Munich when the side were outclassed for much of the game. That means they are 5 points behind Bayern and 3 points behind Napoli coming into Match Day 3 and know they need at least 4 points from the double header with Villarreal.
The team have been in a fine run of form at home that was extended with a 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. That means they have won 13 of their last 14 games in front of their own fans, the only exception being the draw with Napoli on Match Day 1. City have conceded just 2 goals in their last 8 games at the Etihad Arena.
Roberto Mancini rested a number of key players in the win over Villa, and you have to believe the likes of Samir Nasri, David Silva and Edin Dzeko will be restored, although Mario Balotelli misses out through suspension. Sergio Aguero looks set to win his race for fitness after missing the game on Saturday.
Villarreal
While Manchester City will be desperate to pick up 4 points from the double header against Villarreal, the Yellow Submarines also realise they need to do the same if they have any ambitions of making it through to the next stage following defeats on Match Day 1 and 2.
Villarreal have yet to score in the Group as they were beaten by both Bayern Munich and Napoli by 2 goals to nil. That leaves them 4 points off 2nd spot, while even the consolation of a Europa League berth will be unlikely to materialise if they gain anything less than 3 points from the 2 games against City.
The team have not been in good form in recent weeks and it is no surprise to see them as low as 13th in La Liga considering the results they have picked up. Since winning the Champions League Qualifier against Odense, Villarreal have won just 1 of their last 9 games in all competitions.
Villarreal have failed to win any of their last 11 away games in all competitions, and have lost 4 of 6 this season. The most striking aspect of their away games is the fact they have scored just 1 goal in 9 away games, even with a striker like Giuseppi Rossi in their ranks.
It looks like the team will be missing their other star striker, Nilmar, as well as Marco Ruben. Mateo Musacchio missed the game with Getafe at the weekend and will need to pass a fitness test.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive game between the two teams.
Prediction
Manchester City may just have calmed down after a tough start to life in the Champions League when they were perhaps a little too nervous to play their game in the manner they have in the Premier League.
This game does represent a great chance for them to get their first win in the competition and to begin pressurising Napoli for 2nd spot, especially with the number of attacking players that were given a rest over the weekend and with the likely return of Sergio Aguero.
Villarreal have been in bad form recently, and are struggling away from home and this could be a real test for their mentality. They were 2-0 down at Napoli before 18 minutes had passed, and you just have a feeling they are there to be got at.
An early goal could really settle the nerves for the home side and may even open the floodgates for an impressive win and I do think City are capable of winning this with a bit to spare.
I am going to take the home side to pick up their first win in the competition while clearing the Asian Handicap.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester City 3-0 Villarreal
