Following their emphatic Manchester derby victory, Manchester City turn their attention to the Champions League as they host FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night.
Hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden saw Man City defeat Manchester United 6-3 at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, a victory which kept them one point behind leaders Arsenal. So far this season, City are averaging over four goals per home game in all competitions, and Pep Guardiola's side host FC Copenhagen next.
City sit top of Group G following wins against Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund, whilst Copenhagen are in third with one point after drawing against Sevilla in the last round of fixtures. These two sides have only met once before - a knockout tie in the 2008/2009 Europa League campaign where City emerged victorious.
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Kyle Walker was taken off against United at half-time, and the defender will be absent for the clash on Wednesday night. Rodri was also missing from the squad, though the Spaniard has returned to training and could return against Copenhagen.
So, what could the score be in the Champions League on Wednesday night? We simulated the game to find out. To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We simulated Man City vs FC Copenhagen to get a score prediction
We predict that City could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Akanji, Gomez; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.
We predict that the Danish side could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ryan; Diks, Khocholava, Vavro, Kristiansen; Zeca, Lerager, Stamenic; Claesson, Cornelius, Daramy.
Copenhagen started the more dangerous side at the Etihad, and they took the lead after 25 minutes when Viktor Claesson's sweetly-struck free kick found the top corner from 30-yards. City were very much still in the content, and Kevin De Bruyne found the equaliser just before half-time.
Ilkay Gundogan found Bernardo Silva in the attacking third, and the midfielder advanced into the box before being closed down by multiple defenders. Surrounded by the opposition, the midfielder smartly flicked the ball through the legs of a defender and into the feet of De Bruyne, and the City captain fired a shot into the far top corner.
The second half began very close, and the visitors had a goal disallowed when Claesson's header was ruled out due to the winger being in an offside position. As the game went on City grew more dangerous in attack, and Haaland grabbed his mandatory goal to put Guardiola's side in front.
Involved again, Silva burst into the box with the ball at his feet, and the midfielder was too quick to be caught. As the 'keeper stepped off his line to approach Silva, the Portuguese international squared the ball to the unmarked Haaland who swept the ball into an empty net.
Haaland thought he had got on the scoresheet again just minutes later, but his tap-in was ruled out after Foden was offside in the build-up. Copenhagen threw everyone forward in the final few minutes in an attempt to grab a point from City, but they became vulnerable at the back, allowing City to grab a third and finish off the game.
Silva ran the show and grabbed his third assist of the game, with his third being the best of the bunch. Foden's through ball into the box was met by Silva ahead of his defender, and the midfielder backheeled the ball into the path of De Bruyne outside the box. Unmarked and under no pressure, the Belgian took his time and picked his spot to fire home the winning goal.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Man City 3-1 FC Copenhagen
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that despite having fewer shots than the visitors, City remained clinical in front of goal as Haaland's goal and De Bruyne's brace secured the win. City looked a bit open at the back in the simulation as Copenhagen looked dangerous through the middle, a threat that Guardiola will need to combat in the real game.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments below
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