Man City vs. RB Leipzig Betting Tips: Two bets for last-16 second-leg at the Etihad

Man City bid to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night when they face RB Leipzig at the Eithad, live on BT Sport 1 at 8pm.

The teams played out a 1-1 draw in Germany, but something must give in the second-round of this last-16 tie.

Scott Thornton has previewed the action and picked out his two best bets...

Manchester City earned a 1-1 draw in the away leg and will be confident of getting the job done at the Etihad. Leipzig did well to fight back from a goal down but winning in Manchester is a tall order.

Pep Guardiola’s side are hot on Arsenal’s heels in the race for the Premier League title but it is the Champions League crown that they are after.

City have been one of the top teams in Europe for several years but this trophy is a necessity if you want to be considered among the pantheon of greats.

They reached the final of this competition in 2021 but they were narrowly beaten by Chelsea. City are the bookmakers favourites to win it this season, followed by Bayern Munich.

As you’d expect, City dominated the ball in the first leg and wound up with 62% of the possession. Despite the control of ball, they didn’t create a huge number of chances; particularly in the second half. Leipzig managed to limit their opponents and Marco Rose will have been happy with his sides’ response to going 1-0 down.

There are no injury worries for Guardiola to contend with. He has free rein to choose which combination he feels is best to come away with the all-important win. Christopher Nkunku is a doubt for the visitors and his absence would be a huge blow. Peter Gulacsi and Dani Olmo are also out. Both players have been vital for Leipzig in recent seasons.

Since the World Cup, Manchester City have won seven of their eight home games in all competitions. They are averaging 2.63 goals per game over this period and conceding just 0.75.

Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last 20 matches at the Etihad in the Champions League and they should be able to ease past their German opponents on Tuesday night.

Leipzig have won seven of their 16 away games in all competitions this season. This form has improved in recent months but their away form in Europe has been ordinary at best in recent seasons.

They have won six and lost seven of their last 13 matches when travelling away in Europe. It’s difficult to see anything other than a home win in this one; especially when you consider the calibre of the players who are absent for Leipzig.

Manchester City’s 19 competitive matches after the action in Qatar ended have averaged 34.32 throws per game. Their home games in this period are averaging marginally more with 34.38 throws per game. There were 35 throws when these sides met in the first leg; which is in line with the recent Manchester City average.

For the longer odds bet we have similar angles to the main bet but are backing Guardiola’s men to get the job done easy.

Manchester City scored three goals or more in two of their home group matches. Over the course of this season and last season, City are averaging three goals per game when playing at the Eithad in this competition. They found the net six times the last time they hosted Leipzig and they should make a fast start here.

As previously mentioned, 35 throws landed in the first leg and second legs are usually more frantic.