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Olympiacos-Manchester City Preview: Sealing Qualification

By J.C. Gonzalez

LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road on October 3, 2020 in Leeds, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road on October 3, 2020 in Leeds, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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On the back of more domestic disappointment, Manchester City head to Greece and will try to seal their passage to the knockout stage.

Despite Manchester City’s poor start to the Premier League season continuing after a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, they will continue a Champions League group stage that has been little more than a formality to this point. City were handed a straightforward draw, and have taken full advantage with nine points from nine to this point.

With an away trip to Greece to face Olympiacos, City can secure passage to the knockout stage by avoiding defeat, while a win will go a long way to securing top spot. There is not much to take away from City’s European success so far given their knockout stage record and poor domestic form being far more indicative of their strength, but it is good to see City performing as expected in the Champions League.

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The team will be without Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, who did not make the trip presumably for squad rotational purposes, but still have more than enough talent to get the job done. This will also serve as the perfect opportunity for Benjamin Mendy to make his return from injury and try to inspire Pep Guardiola’s confidence after a terrible start to his season. After making the bench against Spurs, it could also be an opportunity for the much-needed return of talisman Sergio Agüero.

Predicted XI: Ederson (GK), João Cancelo (RB), John Stones (CB), Aymeric Laporte (CB), Benjamin Mendy (LB), İlkay Gündoğan (CDM), Bernardo Silva (CAM), Phil Foden (CAM), Ferran Torres (RW), Gabriel Jesus (ST), Raheem Sterling (LW)