Manchester City begin their latest pursuit of Champions League glory on Tuesday night when they travel to the Estadio do Dragao to face Porto.
The Citizens finally conquered the continent in 2023, but they have failed to mount another serious challenge for the trophy in the seasons since.
Their European campaign came to a meek end at the round of 16 stage last term as Real Madrid swept them aside 5-1 on aggregate.
Pep Guardiola has since departed the Etihad, with successor Enzo Maresca guiding Man City to three wins from three in the Premier League, including Saturday’s slender 1-0 victory over Coventry.
As for Porto, they return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season and will be eager to make their mark in their first campaign under the new league phase format.
Francesco Farioli’s side could hardly be in better shape ahead of Manchester City’s visit, having won each of their opening five Primeira Liga matches of the season, including a 2-1 victory over Moreirense last time out.
How the bookies view it: City to slay the Dragons
Porto may have won each of their opening six matches across all competitions this season, but the bookmakers are still expecting Manchester City to come out on top at the Estadio do Dragao.
The hosts are 10/3 outsiders with bet365, while the draw is priced at 3/1 and an away win is available at 8/11 with the same firm.
Head to head: History against the hosts
Manchester City boast an impressive record against Porto, having come out on top in three of the four previous meetings between the clubs.
However, their most recent encounter ended goalless at the Estadio do Dragao in December 2020, and a repeat of that scoreline on Tuesday night can be backed at 12/1 with bet365.
Players to watch: Hone in on Haaland
Erling Haaland was Manchester City’s match-winner against Coventry on Saturday, with his decisive strike continuing his strong start to the season. Backing City in the double chance market alongside Haaland to find the net forms an appealing 4/5 Bet Builder. Haaland struck twice on City’s last road trip to Crystal Palace, and a repeat here is worth a small play at 4/1 with Paddy Power.
With three goals and two assists to his name across five Primeira Liga appearances this season, Porto's Gabri Veiga looks good value to score or assist on Tuesday night at 2/1 with bet365.
Predicted line-ups
Porto have several players unavailable for Tuesday's clash with Man City, with Andre Miranda, Oskar Pietuszewski, Samu Aghehowa and Vasco Sousa all sidelined, while Jan Bednarek is suspended.
Manchester City will remain without the injured Jeremy Doku, while Nico O'Reilly is also expected to miss out after suffering a back injury during the warm-up ahead of Saturday's win over Coventry.
Porto: D. Costa; A. Costa, Perez, Kiwior, Moura; Fofana, Rosario, Veiga; Gomes, Silva, Pepe
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Anderson, Bouaddi; Semenyo, Cherki, Foden; Haaland
Anything else catch the eye?
Marc Guehi’s proven ability to draw fouls makes him an attractive option to be fouled at least twice on Tuesday night.
The Man City defender was brought down on two occasions in their win over Bournemouth and has drawn at least one foul in seven of his last 11 starts for the club, stretching back to last season.
At 6/5 with bet365, Guehi looks worth backing to draw 2+ fouls here.
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