The loss of Rodri Hernández and Kevin De Bruyne has significantly impacted Manchester City's squad depth, but Pep Guardiola should be able to handle Slovan Bratislava even without his star midfielders. In Slovakia, the English side will likely rely on Erling Haaland, who will surely cause plenty of problems for the opposition.
Slovan Bratislava failed their first test in the group stage of the Champions League. Their trip to Glasgow to face Celtic resulted in a disastrous 1:5 defeat (3.56 xGA and 2-11 shots on target). Even on the domestic front, the team struggles to maintain defensive stability, conceding four goals in the Slovak league and cup matches against significantly lower-ranked opponents within a week.
Since the international break, Manchester City have managed only two wins and three draws. The draw with Newcastle United (1:1) should have infuriated Pep Guardiola, as an xG of 1.27 and 16 shots should have been enough for a win. A match against an underdog should go according to the usual script for the English side: the quick flanks of Jérémy Doku and Sávio Moreira “Savinho” will provide Erling Haaland with plenty of chances—it's crucial for the Norwegian to maintain his high scoring rate in the Champions League.
We recommend paying attention to Manchester City to win with a handicap, as the English side are eager for a resounding victory. If Slovan Bratislava struggled against Celtic, then even home support won't save them from the favourites of the tournament.
