AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

STAR PREVIEW: Hoffenheim v Man City

Manchester City got off to the worst start possible in their bid for a Champions League title with defeat against Lyon but that was the exception in their performances this season and they ought to get back on track with victory over Hoffenheim to kickstart their group campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s men had started the season in fine form and were long odds-on to beat Lyon but appeared strangely subdued from the early stages a fortnight ago. They might well have missed the direction of Pep Guardiola – who was serving a one-match touchline ban – whilst their midfield was overrun by an energic Lyon team.

Some have put the performance down to over-confidence, although it is easy to forgive one slightly off-colour performance, especially one where they won the shot count 22-8, the shots on target count 8-4, and the corner count 7-1. City have bounced back since with easy wins against Oxford in the Carabao Cup and then a 2-0 win against Brighton in the league when they barely had to move out of second gear.

Hoffenheim carry plenty of attacking threat and wasted little time finding their feet when taking a deserved lead twice against Shakhtar on the first matchday, so this will obviously be tougher for City. However, that side isn’t as impressive as the one which pushed City so close last year as they are shorn of Fred, Bernard and Facundo Ferreyra and Hoffenheim lost against Red Bull Leipzig at the weekend.

Hoffenheim v Manchester City
Champions League, 17:55
BT Sport 3 HD/4K

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
First meeting between teams

City have won seven out of 10 games this season by more than one goal and the one goal handicap at 21/20 is attainable if they play to their best.

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BACK MAN CITY (-1) 10pts at 21/20 with starsports.bet


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