MANCHESTER CITY have strolled through their Champions League group this season and head into their final game against Marseille with top spot already assured.
Their only blip has been a 0-0 draw in Porto last time out, with Gabriel Jesus having a late winner ruled out by VAR to leave me gutted after tipping the Brazilian for anytime scorer.
But the point was enough to secure top spot in the group and a kinder draw in the last 16 so it was job done for Pep Guardiola's men.
This clash with Marseille is now effectively a dead rubber, although the French side can still salvage a place in the Europa League if they better Olympiakos' result against Porto in the other game.
With the Manchester derby on the horizon at the weekend, Guardiola will be tempted to give his big guns a rest but City still have an impressive squad and will fancy their chances against a Marseille side they crushed 3-0 in France (below).
Andre Villas-Boas' side are on a decent run just now, with a 2-1 victory over Olympiakos part of a three-game winning streak, but will need to be at their very best to stand a chance at the Etihad.
How the bookies view it
Despite having nothing to play for, City are still heavy favourites and are a best 5/12 with SBK. Marseille are as big as 8/1 with the same firm while the draw pays 43/10.
Team news
City's injury woes have pretty much finished, with Sergio Aguero's ongoing knee niggle the only cause for concern. Guardiola (below) could bring in the likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Ferran Torres after keeping them on the bench in the weekend win over Fulham.
Winger Nemanja Radonjic is the only injury concern for Marseille while Leonardo Balerdi returns from a Euro suspension after a red card in the loss to Porto.
Players to watch
It's hard to back a City scorer with Guardiola's plans uncertain but I like the look of winger Torres at 21/10 with Bet365. Young striker Liam Delap might get a chance to impress, although it could be just off the bench, and is 15/8 with Boylesport for a goal.
Dimitri Payet has disappointed in the group stage for Marseille but scored a penalty double last time out against Olympiakos. The former West Ham playmaker is 19/4 with 888Sport for a goal.
Anything else catch the eye?
Villas-Boas was ultra-defensive when City came calling earlier in the group and it backfired, with wave after wave of attacks bearing down on his goal. He surely won't make the same mistake here, especially as Marseille probably need a win to clinch that Europa League slot.
For that reason, I fancy some goals and over 2.5 strikes pays 5/7 with 888Sport while a goal in each half is priced 7/10 with William Hill. Doubling those bets up pays 184/100 with William Hill.
Guardiola's side have grabbed early goals in their last two home games, killing off Burnley then Fulham by leading 2-0 inside the first half-hour. They could do the same here so I like the look of the 7/5 Boylesports are offering on City being ahead after 30 minutes.
William Hill also price a City goal in each half at 23/20 and that appeals if Guardiola's men can get that early breakthrough.
This UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Marseille will be played on Dec 9, 2020 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Marseille prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
