The Champions League is now entering that stage of the group phase where there is a lot riding on each game. This 8pm BST clash on Tuesday night between German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Westfalenstadion is a prime example of that. Group G is looking fairly cut and dry but top spot and a last 16 seeding place is still up for grabs.
Dare we say that defeat for the home side could also let Sevilla or FC Copenhagen back in with a chance of qualification for the knockout phase. Here, we take a look at the latest Champions League odds for this decisive encounter.
Borussia Dortmund Betting Trends
Borussia Dortmund will feel that they have one foot in the Champions League knockout stages with the team in 2nd place in the group and 5 points clear of 3rd place. However, everything can change in the space of 90 minutes. A loss here and victory for either side in the group’s other game would leave the German side likely needing a result away against FC Copenhagen next week to secure their qualification spot. Head coach Edin Terzic might be struggling to find consistency with his team on the domestic front with the Yellow and Blacks down in 5th in the Bundesliga but it’s looking decent in Europe so far.
A narrow 2-1 loss away to Manchester City earlier in the group phase has been their only defeat in the Champions League this season. A win here would put them in with a fantastic chance of finishing top of the group. Particularly if they can win by more than a one goal margin so they have the head-to-head advantage over City. The team is free-scoring right now having won their last two games by an aggregate of 7-0. Jude Bellingham has been crucial in those games bagging 3 goals and proving exactly why he’s rated as one of the best young midfielders in European football right now. The team are also unbeaten in their last 6 home games across all competitions.
Man City Betting Trends
Manchester City were looking unstoppable earlier this season but something strange has happened. Erling Haaland had a brief dry patch of two games without scoring. Fortunately, the end isn’t nigh because the Norwegian front man bagged two goals against Brighton on the weekend in a 3-1 win for the Citizens but it just goes to show that teams can shut him out. If Liverpool and FC Copenhagen can do it then why can’t Borussia Dortmund? Pep Guardiola’s side have already booked their place in the last 16 so it’ll be interesting to see what line-up Guardiola chooses for this game.
The team are still in 2nd place in the Premier League but only 2 points behind league leaders Arsenal so Guardiola may feel he wants to rest key players in order for them to end this pre-World Cup period on a high in the league. However, Guardiola is also well aware of how problematic failing to top the group can be regarding a last 16 tie. Finishing 2nd would leave City open to having to potentially face the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and PSG in the next round.
Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City Betting Tips
It was a late winner from Haaland that was the difference between these two sides in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium earlier in this group and that shows how finely-matched these two clubs are. Manchester City may well want to rest players but simply qualifying for the last 16 isn’t a job complete. Borussia Dortmund know they need something here to take the pressure off the final group game.
I think backing the home team to get something at the value offered is tempting given they have more motivation, have only lost 2 of their last 14 home games in this competition, and could possibly be facing a weakened City side. I wouldn’t be surprised to see over 2.5 goals scored again with both teams boasting a wealth of attacking options in great depth.
Borussia Dortmund Double Chance @ 2.48 with Unibet
Total Corners Over 9.5 @ 1.91 with Boylesports
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