Champions League preview: Man City vs RB Leipzig, FC Porto vs Inter
Man City vs RB Leipzig
City could only take a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig last time out; that’s the Manchester side’s third stalemate in four Champions League matches, having drawn 0-0 to Dortmund and FC Copenhagen before that.
Those goalless draws both occurred on the road. At the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s side will presumably find an extra gear or two against a club they may be able to see off with relatively little fuss.
City haven’t been beaten at home in this competition since they lost to Lyon in September 2018. Generally, their recent form is positive too. The Citizens are unbeaten in six Premier League games, having won five of them.
Erling Haaland scored a penalty against Crystal Palace on Saturday. But the Norwegian powerhouse hasn’t netted at the Etihad in his last three appearances; by his standards he’s due.
And against his old club, Haaland may figure he owes himself a goal (or two). Particularly after being kept relatively quiet in the first encounter. Back City to win, Haaland to score and Under 4.5 goals in a treble at 8/5.
FC Porto vs Inter
This one is, as they say, delicately poised. Inter won the first leg 1-0, but the hosts will certainly hope to make the most of home advantage against a team that have lost two of their last three league games.
In fact, Inter have failed to win any of their last three away games in Serie A, drawing against relegation-threatened Sampdoria last month. The Milanese side earned a late goal against Porto in the first leg through substitute Romelu Lukaku – but only after Otavio had been sent off for the visitors. The influential midfielder is therefore suspended for this game.
That’s a disappointment for the Portuguese club, but they can at least take comfort from the knowledge they’ve excelled against Italian sides at this stage in recent years. Porto knocked out Roma in the 2019 Champions League, and repeated the trick against Juventus in 2021.
Sergio Conceicao beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Estadio de Dragao back in November too, and their home form is generally excellent, winning six of their last seven league games.
Under the circumstances, Porto could well win this game in the 90 minutes at 9/5. The hosts only need to score one goal in order to draw on aggregate and keep the tie alive; Inter have kept just one clean sheet in their 12 away games in Serie A this season.
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