Man City vs Club Brugge: Match Preview, Predictions & Lineups

Fixture: Man City vs Club Brugge

Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Kick-off Time: 20:00 CET

Venue: City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

Competition: UEFA Champions League, Matchday 8

Manchester City will host Club Brugge in their final match of the UEFA Champions League league phase. City, already confirmed for the knockout stages, will aim to bounce back after a loss against Paris on Matchday 7. Meanwhile, Club Brugge, eliminated from the competition, will be looking to salvage pride with a strong performance in Manchester.

City has dominated this match-up historically, winning both previous encounters convincingly in the 2021/22 group stage. Club Brugge, still seeking their first victory on English soil, faces a daunting task against one of Europe’s elite sides.

• Played: 2
• Man City Wins: 2
• Draws: 0
• Club Brugge Wins: 0
• Man City Goals: 9
• Club Brugge Goals: 2
  

• Wins: 7
• Draws: 0
• Losses: 1
• Goals For: 25
• Goals Against: 6
  

• Wins: 7
• Draws: 5
• Losses: 17
• Goals For: 28
• Goals Against: 58
• Away Record: W0 D2 L12
  

• Last 5 Matches (All Competitions): W-L-W-D-W
• Most Recent Result: Man City 3-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
• Key Stat: City is unbeaten in their last 34 European home matches (W29 D5), a run stretching back to 2018.
  

• Last 5 Matches (All Competitions): D-D-W-W-W
• Most Recent Result: Club Brugge 1-1 Kortrijk (Belgian Pro League)
• Key Stat: Club Brugge has lost 13 of 15 matches played in England, failing to win any.
  

Formation: Likely 4-3-3 under Pep Guardiola.

Key Players:

• Erling Haaland: The Norwegian forward has scored six goals in the league phase, continuing his prolific Champions League record.
• Phil Foden: Scored three goals in this season’s campaign and will be central to City’s creativity.
• Kevin De Bruyne: The Belgian maestro will relish facing opposition from his home country.

Injuries/Suspensions:

• Rúben Dias is one booking away from suspension.
• Nathan Aké: Ruled out through a muscle injury. 
• Oscar Bobb: Ruled out through a broken leg.
• Rodri: Ruled out through through a cruciate ligament tear.
  

Formation: Expected 4-2-3-1 under Nicky Hayen.

Key Players:

• Hans Vanaken: Brugge’s experienced playmaker scored once in this season’s competition and will orchestrate their midfield.
• Simon Mignolet: The former Liverpool goalkeeper will need to produce a stellar performance to keep City at bay.
• Andreas Skov Olsen: A creative and direct winger, capable of troubling City’s full-backs.

Injuries/Suspensions:

• Michał Skóraś and Hugo Vetlesen are one booking away from suspension.
• No other reported injuries or suspensions.
  

City will likely dominate possession, utilising their fluid attacking play to create openings against a defensively vulnerable Brugge side. With Haaland spearheading the attack and De Bruyne pulling the strings, expect City to exploit wide areas where Brugge has struggled against top-tier opponents.

Brugge will focus on a defensive, counter-attacking approach, aiming to exploit City’s high defensive line through quick transitions. Vanaken’s vision and Skov Olsen’s pace will be critical if Brugge hopes to find joy on the break.

Manchester City 4-0 Club Brugge

City’s attacking firepower and home dominance should see them secure an emphatic victory, while Brugge’s struggles in England are likely to persist

Kevin De Bruyne scored his first senior hat-trick against Club Brugge in 2011, during his time at Genk, in a thrilling 5-4 away victory.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.