As the Champions League qualifying stage winds down, the outcomes for qualifying become clear. Manchester City, one of the favorites to win the entire competition, is close to securing its automatic Round of 16 spot. Leverkusen is in a precarious position for advancing. The stakes are awfully high for this European showdown.
Man City are -450 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one with a draw available at +550 odds. If you favor a Leverkusen upset, the club is listed +1100 on the Moneyline. Let’s dig into a pick and prediction for Manchester City vs. Leverkusen.
Manchester City vs. Leverkusen Prediction, Pick
So far, so good for Man City in the top European competition. The club has picked up wins over Napoli, Villarreal, and Borussia Dortmund while negotiating a draw with AS Monaco. The team is in great form overall, even despite a frustrating loss to Newcastle United in the last contest. With Erling Haaland in top form and the new additions clicking, it’s a good time to be a Citizen.
Leverkusen wish they were off to such a start in the UCL. They drew their first two contests against a pair of sides, FC Kobenhavn and PSV Eindhoven, that they should have beaten. That was followed by a 7-2 dismantling at the hands of defending UCL champs Paris Saint-Germain. With their backs against the wall, they needed a win against Benfica, and came through with a 1-0 victory.
Halfway through the group stage, both teams would move on at their current pace, but it would be a close call. Nothing less than a top-eight seed and an automatic qualification in the Round of 16 would be acceptable for City. Leverkusen barely holding on to a playoff spot for the Round of 16 would be a disappointment, but it’s better than nothing, and they need to start finding some points.
Unfortunately for Leverkusen, there are no points to be found here. On the road at the Etihad, this is not the time for a Bayer breakout.
