Since appointing Pep Guardiola in 2016, Manchester City have been desperate to win the Champions League, but so far Europe’s premier trophy has eluded them.
Guardiola’s men have started many seasons, including the 2019/20 campaign, as the favourites in the betting to come out on top in the Champions League. This could be the year they end that wait for the silverware.
City have recently been dislodged at the top of the outright market this season by Bayern Munich who, since appointing Hans-Dieter Flack as their manager back in December, have been in great form.
The German club does look to be the biggest danger to the Manchester club, however, preference must go to the English champions.
As dangerous as Bayern have been offensively, there are still question marks to be asked about their defence.
Also, given how much Guardiola knows about many of his former players, City would have a great chance of beating the German giants if they were to meet in the competition.
City Available At 3/1 in Champions League Outright Betting
Guardiola’s side are now 3/1 second favourite in the online football betting to win the Champions League.
Their focus will now be on this competition as they are so far behind Liverpool in the Premier League, they will know their title defence is all but over.
Those odds of 3/1 on Manchester City are not much shorter than what they were in the Champions League at the start of the season.
They safely negotiated the group stage without tasting defeat, scoring 16 goals in the process.
Domestic success has not been a problem for Guardiola in England. He has won the Premier League twice, the EFL Cup on three occasions, and the FA Cup once.
It is also worth remembering Guardiola is a two-time winner of the Champions League as a manager. He prevailed in 2009 and 2011 when he was in charge of Barcelona.
Key Challenges To Overcome
Manchester City are now 80/1 to defend their Premier League title. Although professionalism remains at stake, the Spanish boss has the luxury of resting key players before and after Champions League ties. This could prove to be a big advantage over many of their European rivals.
City proved they have the class to beat any team in Europe on their day when they despatched Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu earlier this year.
When you look at the team’s City have been beaten by in the Champions League over the last couple of years, they have been rivals from the Premier League.
Two seasons ago, Liverpool knocked them out in the quarter-finals, while in 2019, Spurs upset the odds to beat them in the last eight.
City look set to be the only English representation in the Champions League in the quarter-finals this season.
They will prefer taking on opposition from continental Europe. Although there are other major clubs still in the tournament, City have what it takes.
