Although unbeaten domestically this season ? Roberto Mancini's men have failed to register a win in the UEFA Champions League this season. With one point to their name and progression looking progressivly unlikely ? Mancini has a few problems prior to the game.
City are last in group D having collecting one point from a possible nine. City will feel they deserved a point at Madrid ? whilst a hard fought draw against Dortmund will be seen as a point gained for Mancini rather than two lost. However a 3-1 defeat to Ajax has ensured Man City face severe difficulties
Ajax are third now in Group D having failed to win either of their first two games. Although a win against Manchester City has ensured that qualifaction is a minor possibility. However, with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in the Group - qualification looks unlikely for the four time European Champions ? who have failed to live up to their past in recent European competitions.
Last 5 Results ? Manchester City: W W L W D
3/11/12 ? West Ham 0 ? 0 Man City
27/10/12 ? Man City 1 ? 0 Swansea
24/10/12 ? Ajax 3 ? 1 Man City
20/10/12 ? West Brom 1 ? 2 Man City
06/10/12 ? Man City 3 ? 0 Sunderland
Last 5 Results ? Ajax: D D W D L
03/11/12 ? Ajax 0 ? 2 Vitesse Arnhem
28/10/12 ? Feyenoord 2 ? 2 Ajax
24/10/12 ? Ajax 3 ? 1 Man City
20/10/12 ? Heracles 3 ? 3 Ajax
07/10/12 ? Ajax 1 ? 1 FC Utrecht
Although Manchester City have had a slow start to the season ? they remain unbeaten in the league and find themselves third ? behind Manchester and Chelsea. Ajax too have started the season slow and find themselves sixth in the Eredivisie.
With Dortmund to play Real Madrid ? Man City can gain ground on the two with a victory of Ajax. Man City are desperate to qualify to the latter stages of the tournament. With another game against Ajax coming up ? City will be keen to take maximum points from the game to steer their campaign in to the right direction.
Prediction: - Manchester City 1 ? 1 Ajax
With the game coming up against Ajax ? Man City will be desperate to claim the three points in order to progress up the table in Group D. Although once great giants of European football, Ajax have failed to hit similar heights in recent years.
I think the home advantage will help Man City. With an early goal for The Citizens set to steer them in the right direction. However like the first tie I expect Ajax to dominate possession wise and get themselves a late goal.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG