Club Brugge v Man City predictions: Classy Citizens to triumph in a thriller

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Club Brugge v Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 5.45pm, Tuesday

Best bet

Manchester City to win & both teams to score
1pt 7-4 general

Team news

Club Brugge
The Belgian side have no injury or suspension concerns, although Eder Balanta is one yellow card away from missing the return fixture.

Manchester City
Gabriel Jesus and Ederson flew straight to Belgium from the international break and may play a role, while Ferran Torres is a long-term absentee. Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchecko were on the bench against Burnley but may be fit enough to play a part.

Match preview

Manchester City’s journey back to the Champions League final hit its first bump in the road in Paris last month. Despite being the better team for large parts of the game against PSG, the Citizens were wasteful in front of goal.

Pep Guardiola’s men racked up almost two expected goals from their 18 shots but came away with nothing after a stunning Lionel Messi strike rounded off a 2-0 win for his new team.

That performance and their 2-2 draw with Liverpool have reignited the debate over whether City should have gone all out for a striker in the summer transfer window.

With Ferran Torres injured until the turn of the year and Gabriel Jesus’s involvement unclear after his arrival back from South America, the issue of a lack of an out-and-out striker shows no sign of going away.

As a result City are likely to continue with a rotating cast of characters filling in as their false nine.

Guardiola’s strikerless stars travel to take on the surprise package in Group A, Club Brugge.

The Belgian side secured a home draw with PSG in their opener, in which they outshot the French giants 16-9. Philippe Clement’s side went on to prove that the result was no fluke by beating RB Leipzig 2-1 in gameweek two.

Brugge’s squad is youthful, with stars such as Charles De Ketelaere, Noa Lang and Kamal Sowah all 22 or younger. Sixteen-year-old Noah Mbamba is yet to make his Champions League bow but has played eight times in the league in this campaign.

Lang in particular has attracted attention from big clubs and his performances have led to him being called up to the Dutch national team.

With their expansive young players, Brugge could cause issues for City and the Belgians are unbeaten in seven home games in all competitions this season.

Brugge have found the net in every one of their 13 games this campaign and are taken to continue that run.

However, the Citizens and their attacking talents may also prove hard to resist, despite their wastefulness in front of goal. Kevin De Bruyne appears to be close to full fitness and has netted in his last two games for club and country.

Back in his home nation, City’s creative midfielder may control what should be an open encounter between two sides willing to attack.

Key stat

Club Brugge have scored in all 13 of their games this season.

Inside info

Club Brugge

Penalty taker Bas Dost/Hans Vanaken
Free-kick wizard Hans Vanaken
Set-piece aerial threat Charles De Ketelaere
Card magnet Noa Lang

Manchester City

Penalty taker Kevin De Bruyne/Riyad Mahrez
Free-kick wizardKevin De Bruyne
Set-piece aerial threatJohn Stones
Card magnetAymeric Laporte

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport