Can the Manchester sides bounce back?

The blue half of Manchester entertain Bayern Munich in a fascinating game at the Etihad on Wednesday night (19:45, SKY). The defending Champions League champions will present a stern taste for a City side who will look to showcase that they are for real in Europe after a group stage exit in each of the last two seasons.

City will take heart from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 20 home games in Europe and saw of Munich at their own ground in the group stages two seasons ago. If you think that they get all three points here you can back them at 5/2 (ladbrokes/william hill). Munich will take heart from the fact that Pellegrini has never beaten Guardiola as manager having faced him as boss of Real Madrid, Malaga or Villarreal. In addition the German side have lost just one of their last 34 in all competitions with the defeat coming in the German version of the Community Shield against Dortmund. Munich are the favourites for the game at 13/10 (paddy Power) while the draw is 5/2 (GENERAL).

The recommended bet in this game is in David Alaba in the anytime scorer market, some firms are as short as 3/1 on the Bayern defender yet TOTESPORT and betfred are 8/1. The Austrian has netted three times in his last nine Champions League games. City are vulnerable at the back and Alaba could find himself with space on the counter-attack.

David Moyes is under pressure from the red half of the city a bad start to the season that has seen United take just seven points from their six games so far in the Premier League. United though did open their Champions League campaign with a 4-2 win over Leverkusen.

Up next for the Red Devils is a visit to Donetsk who started their group stage with an impressive 2-0 victory in Sociedad and bookmakers make Shakhtar the 6/4 (GENERAL) favourites for the game. The Ukranian side have won all three home games against English opponents in this competition. Donetsk though have only won of their last eight home games in the Champions League while United remain undefeated against Ukranian clubs in this competition. Those wishing to back the Red Devils can do so at 21/10 (TOTESPORT/betfred/SPREADEX) while the draw is 12/5 (GENERAL).

David Moyes is a conservative manager and his first instinct will be to try keep a solid shape and get something on the break through his attacking resources. The United defence will likely welcome back Vidic which should make them more secure. Up against a Donetsk attack that registered just six shots themselves in their opener (a joint lowest for the matchday) then I think NO on both teams to score is the way to play this. CORAL and SPREADEX are offering 6/5 on this happening.

In the other games I like the look of Real Sociedad to get something from their visit to Bayer Leverkusen. The Spanish side lost their first game 2-0 against Shakhtar but that result came somewhat against the run of play. Sociedad hit 14 shots without finding the net in their opening game and this time around with a little better luck or finishing you would imagine they would find the net at least once. I amazed to see Sociedad as big as 24/19 (188 BET) on the Asian Handicap with a 0.5 start which pays out on a draw or victory for the visitors. Leverkusen are a good side but should not priced as short as they have been.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Real Sociedad +0.5 on the Asian Handicap v B Leverkusen, 24/19 (188 BET)
SILVER: (No) both teams to score Shakhtar Donestk & Man Utd, 6/5 (CORAL/SPREADEX)
BRONZE: David Alaba to score anytime v Man City, 8/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred)

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02/10/2013     © Frixo 2026