Manchester City will be looking for their first win in the new Champions League format when they head to Slovakia on Tuesday, to take on Slovan Bratislava.
Pep Guardiola’s side are on an unusual run of just one win in four games across all competitions, though the others were all draws and they have faced Arsenal and Inter Milan in that run. Even so, failing to beat Newcastle last time out will have irked the reigning Premier League champions, as they lost top spot to Liverpool in the process and have now kept just one clean sheet in their last seven games.
Slovan Bratislava have won seven out of eight domestically and sit top of the Super Liga as a result, but were absolutely hammered by Celtic in their Champions League opener, losing 5-1 in Glasgow.
That result raised questions of competitiveness in this expanded league format, and even on home soil they must be fearing the type of scoreline an in-form Erling Haaland might be able to raise.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
When is Slovan Bratislava vs Man City?
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 1 October.
Where can I watch it?
All Champions League games are shown on TNT Sports in the UK. This game is on TNT Sports 1 and can be streamed for subscribers on the discovery+ app.
You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
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What is the team news?
Rodri is Man City’s main injury concern with the midfielder out for the long term. Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are also sidelined, while City remain without Kevin de Bruyne as he works his way back to full fitness.
Lukas Pauschek is out for Slovan, while Kenan Bajric is a doubt. Their attacking line should include former Man City starlet Vladimir Weiss, now aged 34, and one of Slovakia’s starting forwards from their Euro 2024 last-16 clash with England, in David Strelec.
Predicted lineups
Slovan Bratislava XI: Takac, Blackman, Kashia, Wimmer, Medvedev, Kucka, Ignatenko, Barseghyan, Tolic, Weiss, Strelec
Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nunes, Kovacic, Savinho, Foden, Grealish, Haaland
Odds
Slovan 50/1
Draw 17/1
City 1/25
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Prediction
Man City to make it a first win in Europe this term, even with rotations and in some comfort. Slovan 0-4 Man City.
