The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday night with eight games to be played. One of which will be contested at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City take on Atalanta. The hosts are currently top of the group with 6 points while Atalanta are sitting bottom having yet to get off the mark in the Champions League this season.
Manchester City started their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk. They were 2-0 up before half time and went on to add a third goal in the second half. Their second match in the group was at home against Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia. Manchester City we're expected to win this game with ease but only managed to make the breakthrough in the 66th minute.
They added a second goal in injury time but the result was not as comprehensive as people thought it was going to be.
Trends show Manchester City have lost only one of their last 10 Champions League matches. The defeat came at Tottenham Hotspur in the knockout stages last season and proved costly as they went out to their Premier League rivals. However, Manchester City have won 6 of their last 7 Champions League games beating Hoffenheim, Schalke, Tottenham Hotspur and Dinamo Zagreb at home plus Schalke and Shakhtar Donetsk away.
Manchester City have won each of their last 5 home Champions League matches and have scored 2 or more goals in each of those 5 games. They have also seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 home Champions League matches.
Atalanta are playing in their first ever Champions League group stage and have found it tough so far this season. They have lost both matches and started with a very disappointing 4-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb. That result immediately put them under pressure in their first home game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Serie A club opened the scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk in the 28th minute but could not hold on to their lead. They conceded an equalizer just before half time and then lost the game in the 95th minute.
Atalanta maybe doing well in Serie A this season but they have struggled defensively in the Champions League. They also conceded 3 goals at Lazio on the weekend which was not the best preparation for this game.
Team news and Manchester City are still without long term injury absentees Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte. Kyle Walker is struggling with a stomach problem but Sergio Aguero is expected to start having been left out on the weekend.
Atalanta travel to Manchester without the injured striker Duvan Zapata. He is the only injury concern for the Italians.
Everything points to a home win for Manchester City in this game. The hosts should score 2 or more goals to see off their Serie A challengers.