Manchester City will be squaring off with Atalanta BC for the very first time in Europe. Pep Guardiola’s side currently resides at the top of Group C with six points in two games.
Atlanta has done well in Serie A so far by being third on the points table. Nevertheless, Atalanta finds itself at the bottom of the Champions League group after enduring back-to-back defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Meanwhile, Manchester City is on the back of a 2-0 win versus Crystal Palace and is on the second spot in the Premier League. Their wins against Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar is the reason why they are at the top of their respective pool in the European competition.
Match Details
Date- Wednesday, October 23 | Kick-Off- 12:30 AM (IST) | Venue- Etihad Stadium
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola was forced to play Fernandinho and Rodri in central defence against Crystal Palace because of the injury crisis in the backline. Aymeric Laporte remains a long term absentee due to a knee injury. However, Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones will be expected to be back in contention of making it to the team sheet after recovery. Kyle Walker’s availability remains in doubt due to illness. Meanwhile, Leroy Sane is still away from action because of a bad knee.
John Stones, Otamendi, Sergio Aguero are all likely to start in mid-week after being given a rest. There is a possibility of Fernandinho and David Silva settling on the bench to get a breather from Saturday evening’s fixture.
Atalanta
The bad news for Atalanta is that their most in-form goal-scorer, David Zapata might not play a part due to thigh injury which he sustained during the international break. As a result of that, Luris Muriel should be expected to lead the attack. Ukrainian international, Rusian Malinovskiy could be added to the playing eleven in an advanced position. Former Middlesbrough midfielder, Marten de Roon could have a part to play against Manchester City.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City: Ederson; Cancelo, Otamendi, Stones, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Aguero, Sterling
Atalanta: Gollini; Toloi, Palomino, Masiello; Hateboer, Freuler, Pasalic, Gosens; Malinovskiy, Muriel, Gomez
Key Points
Manchester City has scored two goals or more in their last 10 games in the Champions League.
Manchester City has won six of their last seven games in the Champions League.
Top Picks
With Sergio Aguero given adequate rest over the weekend, the Argentine international would be itching to get his name on the scoresheet. Aguero has eight goals and two assists in eight appearances for Manchester City.
For Atalanta, Luis Muriel could be the main man in attack. Muriel has scored five goals for his side in the six appearances so far.
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MCI vs ATN Dream11 Today Match Prediction | Fantasy Team
Goalkeeper- E Moraes
Defenders- B Mendy, N Otamendi, A Masiello, J L Palomino
Midfielders- K D Bryune, D Silva, R Freuler
Forwards- R Sterling, L Muriel, S Aguero (C)