Marseille vs. Manchester City – Champions League, October 27, 2020

Following last season’s Champions League quarter-final failure, Manchester City will be desperate to make their mark on the European stage this term.

Pep Guardiola’s men face French side Marseille at Stade Velodrome on Tuesday, October 27, having already taken control of Group C by defeating Porto on Matchday 1.

I assess the bookies’ odds before providing my Marseille vs. Manchester City prediction and betting pick.

The top online betting sites aren’t giving Marseille (8.00) much of a chance on Tuesday. Even the price for the draw (5.20) is extremely high.

Having said that, Manchester City (1.35) has not started the season in a convincing fashion. After winning just two of their opening five EPL games this season, Guardiola’s side could be there for the taking.

Let’s take a closer look at the teams.

It is fair to say that Marseille’s long-awaited return to the Champions League didn’t get off to the best of starts. Following a seven-year absence from Europe’s premier club competition, OM faced Olympiacos on Matchday 1, but a stoppage-time strike saw the Greek side steal all three points.

Granted, Andre Villas-Boas men gave a good account of themselves last week. They were not overawed by the occasion and created plenty of goalscoring opportunities. But a late Ahmed Mahgoub header meant that Marseille’s UCL campaign started with defeat.

Still, when it comes to Ligue 1, things are going a lot better for Marseille. Last season’s runner-up has only lost one of their eight domestic games this term, with four wins and three draws keeping the Olympians within touching distance of PSG.

Villas-Boas men are on a five-game unbeaten streak in France. They must now carry their domestic momentum onto the European stage.

⏱️ 90+5' FULL-TIME! VICTORY! ✅

AVB's men soldier on to a 1-0 win at @FCLorient thanks to @leoobalerdi5's goal.

Next up, we welcome @ManCity to the @orangevelodrome on Tuesday. #FCLOM | 0⃣ – 1⃣ | ⚪️? pic.twitter.com/Z64lE8s5OB

— Olympique de Marseille ?? ?? (@OM_English) October 24, 2020

By contrast, domestic momentum is something that Manchester City needs at the moment. Two wins, two draws, and one defeat have left Pep Guardiola’s side in the bottom half of the EPL table, with the two Merseyside clubs already five points ahead.

Following a 5-2 thrashing by Leicester and a draw with Leeds, Man City beat Arsenal to get back on track. However, a disappointing draw with West Ham on Saturday put a swift end to the team’s resurgence.

But regardless of their domestic form, Man City invariably flies through the UCL group stage without any real issues. The Cityzens racked up 69% possession against Porto on Matchday 1, with goals from Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ferran Torres sealing a 3-1 victory.

Man City may be without Aguero for the trip to France, but Guardiola’s squad still boasts more than enough firepower to secure back-to-back Champions League wins.

I don’t think this will be the mismatch that the bookies are predicting. The odds gap for this game is huge, but I can see Marseille frustrating Man City.

However, there is no denying that Guardiola’s side should come away with all three points on Tuesday. It may not be the most convincing victory, but I’m confident that Man City will get the job done one way or another.