Barcelona vs. Manchester City Pick – Champions League Match Preview, Estadio Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain 2:45 PM EST Wednesday March 12, 2014
By Jason Green, Soccer Betting Consultant, Predictem.com
Match Odds: Barcelona 1.50 / Manchester City 6.00 / Draw 4.33
Moneyline: Barcelona -200 / Manchester City +500 / Draw +333
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
Manchester City recently won the Capital One Cup, they are in a quarterfinal match up with Wigan on Saturday the 8th, and they are in the thick of the Premier League title race. However, they have a HUGE hill to climb to get to the quarterfinals of the Champions League after their 2-0 home loss to Barcelona in the first leg.
Barcelona is a heavy betting favorite in this match and while they are only 1-point behind Real Madrid in La Liga play they are in far from top form. In their last 8 matches overall they have 5 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.
In the first leg of this tie Manchester City had a good game plan, but gave up a penalty in the 54th minutes and a late goal in the 90th minute to fall 2-0. Barcelona won the time of possession battle, when do they not, but they only had 1 more shot on goal.
Man City cannot play the same defensive match as they did in the first leg, as they are down 2-0 in this tie. While they have to get back to an attacking style, which has scored the 2nd most goals in EPL play, that is their way of playing that are comfortable with.
One of the reasons that City was dominated in the time of possession in the first match is that they were playing with 10-men after a red card in the first half. City did play well in the midfield in the first leg, which they will have to do again.
For the most part the City defense bottled up Lionel Messi and that is their big task this time around. Man City had their chances in the first leg, but they could not take advantage of them.
Yaya Tour and the City offense will have to press the issue to score in this match and their D cannot let Barcelona score first or this tie is done.
Man City is the big underdog and they really have nothing to lose since they are expected to lose at Camp Nou.
The Barcelona defense has given up 4 goals in their last 2 matches and that is a concern. Defensive star Carles Puyol recently announced he is terminating his contract and in the first leg, as stated before, City had their chances.
Sergio Agero has missed over a month with a hamstring injury, but he may play in this match. He is the biggest threat on offense that City has and if he can go maybe City has a chance, albeit a small one.
The Man City defense has to lock down Barca in this match and really spurn the counter-attack. Do not look for Man City to drop back and pack the midfield like in the first encounter, as they will be more offensive minded.
Both of these teams have matches this weekend so check back for injuries to key players for this Champions League encounter.
Manchester City Recent Form
2/8/2014 Norwich City 0 Manchester City 0 (Premier League)
2/12/2014 Manchester City (postponed) Sunderland (Premier League)
2/15/2014 Manchester City 2 Chelsea 0 (FA Cup)
2/18/2014 Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 (Champions League)
2/22/2014 Manchester City 1 Stoke City 0 (Premier League)
3/2/2104 Manchester City 3-1 Sunderland (Capital One Cup)
Barcelona Recent Form
2/12/2014 Real Sociedad 1 Barcelona 1 (Copa del Rey)
2/15/2014 Barcelona 6 Rayo Vallecano 0 (La Liga)
2/18/2014 Manchester City 0 Barcelona 2 (Champions League)
2/22/2014 Real Sociedad 3 Barcelona 1 (La Liga)
3/2/2013 Barcelona 4 Almeria (La Liga)
Jason’s Pick to Win the Match: Like the first leg I think Man City will play well, but not well enough, I almost want to go with a draw in this one, but I am taking Barcelona to come out with a W at home winning 2-1 and advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals. Bet this pick at an online bookaker where your credit card WILL work and where you’ll receive a giant 100% bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $500: GTBETS.