My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
By Hidayah Ali
The UEFA Champions League starts in less than a week now, and Manchester City will head into the 23/24 campaign trying to defend their title.
Manchester City, you’d say, have been drawn into a slightly easier group than others, but we know that no one is to be underestimated. As for myself, I feel (and how I believe Citizens out there do too ) quite confident in City’s progression to the next round.
So, here is my full prediction for Man City’s Group Stage.
MD1 – Red Star Belgrade
Date: 19th, September.
Easy game for City. While I’m not trying to put Red Star Belgrade down here, just the thought of City not winning this game seems very hard to imagine.
Manchester City will surely want to start their new European season off in style, meaning a good result, three points, and overall just an outstanding performance to show everyone that, once again, they mean business.
Man City 5-0 RSB
Points – three
MD2 – Leipzig
Date: 4th, October.
I can’t believe we’re seeing this fixture for the third season in a row! But what an exciting one it will be.
The last time the two sides met was during the first knock-round of last season. In Germany, it was a goal apiece, which ended the first game as a draw. But Man City had a breeze when the second leg came around, beating Leipzig 7-0. Erling Haaland scored FIVE of those goals.
Leipzig 1-3 Man City
Points – three
MD3 – Young Boys
Date: 25th, October.
Like the first match, this will be the first time Man City will play this team competitively. The final fixture before the repeated ones happen.
Again, I only see a win here. At this stage, City would have a total of six points on the board. Those points will be a boost of confidence, as they would pretty much be a step away from qualification.
YB 0-4 Man City
Points – three
MD4 – Young Boys
Date: 7th, November.
As we know, Matchday four is when your team plays the opposite again. And it starts with the team who City will have played last, Young Boys.
My thoughts on this aren’t different than the last time, so let’s just get to the score.
Man City 5-0 YB
Points – three points
MD5 – Leipzig
Date: 28th, Novemeber.
By what I’ve guessed, City would have secured their next-round ticket by game. Meaning, Pep could afford to keep some of his starting players on the bench, in preparation for the games in the Premier League, which would take place after this.
Man City 1-1 Leipzig
Points- One point
MD6 – Red Star Belgrade
Date: 13th, December.
The last game of the group stage, and there wouldn’t be much for City to gain from this game (Of course, that’s if all goes to plan). Again, I can’t imagine seeing too many regular starting 11 names featured, but even the second-choice players, I think, would be able to end this round with a win.
RSB 1-3 Man City
Points – Three Points
Final standings: Manchester City – 16 points.
And I’d also presume that City would top this group with those points, with Leipzig in second spot to finish the Group Stage.