Manchester City vs Aston Villa
England – Premier League
Date: Saturday, 26 October 2019
Kick-off at 12:30 UK/ 13:30 CET
Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester).
Manchester City vs Aston Villa Match Preview & Prediction
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's men have responded with an ideal way to suffer a damaging defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 before the international break.
The Citizens claimed a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, which is something of a bogey team, ahead recovered from going a goal down to thrash Atalanta 5-1 in the Champions League.
As domestic football back to Qatar this weekend, the City players will know that the slip at home even once again this season could be fatal to their title defense.
The following year in a row for it seemed as if nothing could touch them, the Premier League champions have greater firepower than before but may have more question marks surrounding their capacity to hold firm at the back.
Indeed, in the wake of the departure of Vincent Kompany, combined with Aymeric Laporte injury and John Stones, has been shown by both Norwich City and Wolves are hitting the city with fast counter-attacks in the middle of the field can open up gaps in the rear.
hitch this time, along with the factors that more intangible like 'pedigree' and 'legacy', can combine to explain why the City could struggle in Europe again this season - a problem that prevents it from joining the ranks of the best team games.
However, when it comes to these games at home against lesser opponents, the City will always return their units to attack substantially outscore anyone they come up against.
Saturday's visitors will take heart from the blueprint set by Wolves but must also be aware of the fact that this City team has scored 21 goals in six home games since August.
Aston Villa
Story Villa this season has been one team that almost seemed to grow into the skin since the opening weekend.
The defeat to Bournemouth and Crystal Palace along with hearty home draw with West Ham United as the club's opening four league games is an indication of the team, although solid at the back, seemed to lose something in the future.
However, it seems as though the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, which saw the visitors the lead twice and lose the game in the last minute goal, served as something of a turning point when it comes to intensity Villa show.
Since that loss, Smith's side have managed to at least two goals in every game, including an impressive 5-1 win over Norwich at Carrow Road which is hallmarked by the front three Jack Grealish, Anwar El Ghazi and Wesley cut through the Canaries at will.
In addition, the Villans have been supported by a strong form of midfielder John McGinn, with the Scot scored three goals and one assist claimed this term, often make runs late comeback to join the attack and create overloads through the middle.
If Villa are to pull off one of the shocks of the season at the Etihad this weekend, which attacks the quartet should take advantage of every pocket of space that happens to come their way. Watford, for example, really have a good chance to equalize after just five minutes at the Etihad, only to squander and ultimately lost 8-0.
Smith has so far refused to deviate from the rigid 4-3-3 system, whose main goal is for the team to attack and defend as a unit, and players will need to function as a perfect union together if they want to succeed in this town keep the team in long sleeve.
Then again, because every team knows,even being perfect against such a litany of superstars can sometimes not be quite enough.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa Prediction
Easy blue side of Manchester could be called as the best overall in the UK over the last three years or more. While Liverpool has raised the bar recently, the mantle still belongs to Pep's men.
This season, the Reds were determined to take the title from the champion back-to-back, and so far gone unbeaten. However, the last day they were held at Old Trafford and has led them less two.
Residents will be desperate to build on this and reduce the distance. They certainly have the home advantage, where they remain unbeaten in 21 of their previous 22 games, winning 20 of this impressive too.
On the other hand, their counterparts are winless in six of their last eleven games and have lost three of the previous six match-up them on the road as well.
Importantly, David Silva and his men had been in the form of threatening against the opponent in h2h clashes over the past few years. Especially in a league encounter at the Etihad, PL defending champion has just on another level.
Thus, relying on a dominating performance by the host this weekend.
This season, the Reds were determined to take the title from the champion back-to-back, and so far gone unbeaten. However, the last day they were held at Old Trafford and has led them less two.
Residents will be desperate to build on this and reduce the distance. They certainly have the home advantage, where they remain unbeaten in 21 of their previous 22 games, winning 20 of this impressive too.
On the other hand, their counterparts are winless in six of their last eleven games and have lost three of the previous six match-up them on the road as well.
Importantly, David Silva and his men had been in the form of threatening against the opponent in h2h clashes over the past few years. Especially in a league encounter at the Etihad, PL defending champion has just on another level.
Thus, relying on a dominating performance by the host this weekend.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa Betting Tips
Half Time / Full Time: Manchester City / Manchester City @ 1.44 (4/9)
Manchester City -2 Handicap @ 1.40 (2/5).
Manchester City -2 Handicap @ 1.40 (2/5).
