The Citizens looked shaky at the back against Norwich, and Al Hain-Cole expects plenty of goals when they take on Castro’s men in Ukraine
Manchester City will be determined to bounce back from their shock defeat against Norwich when they travel to Kiev to take on Shakhtar Donetsk in Wednesday’s Champions League opener.
Pep Guardiola’s team went down 3-2 against their newly-promoted opponents on Saturday, just their second defeat in 29 fixtures in all competitions.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City latest odds
Having run out 6-0 and 3-0 winners against this opposition in last season’s group stages, they are 3/10 (1.30) favourites with bet365 to return to form with a victory at the Metalist Stadium.
However, the Miners have won each of their seven league matches so far this campaign, and can be backed at 9/1 (10.00) to consign their guests to another surprise defeat.
Two of the hosts’ last three home matches in this competition have resulted in draws, and you can get odds of 9/2 (5.50) on them claiming a single point yet again in this one.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City team news
Maycon, Andrii Totovytskyi, Maksym Malyshev and Oleksandr Pikhalionk and Davit Khocholava are all ruled out through injury.
Benjamin Mendy could be in line for a first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury, although Phil Foden has been left out of the travelling squad due to a lack of fitness. Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte are both long-term absentees.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City preview
Although wary of their opponents’ reaction following the Norwich defeat, Luis Castro’s men must have been encouraged by the defensive weaknesses that were exposed at Carrow Road.
Averaging over three goals per match and having scored 13 times in just the most recent three, the Ukrainian champions will back themselves to take advantage of any similar errors in the Citizens’ backline.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Manchester City predictions
However, they are unlikely to contain an attack that put nine past them over two matches last season, making odds of 13/10 (2.30) look generous on over 3.5 goals being scored for Shakhtar’s fourth consecutive match, and a sixth in a row for City.
All odds correct at time of publish. Please gamble responsibly.
Over 3.5 goals for a 1.5pt stake 13/10 (2.30) with bet365
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