Man City Welcome Aston Villa on Tuesday night in the premier league.
Team News
Rodri and Nathan Ake remain sidelined for Manchester City and both are not expected to feature for the rest of the campaign. Manuel Akanji was back in the squad in the victory at Everton after a spell on the sidelines.
The defender made an appearance in the second half but he may have to wait a bit longer before he is returned to the starting XI.
Phil Foden was also fit to make the bench on Merseyside but he was an unused substitute, suggesting that Pep Guardiola might have been keeping him fresh to face Villa.
Erling Haaland and John Stones remain in the treatment room but there is hope that the pair can return to the pitch in early May.
Mateo Kovacic could be set for a start in midfield here after coming off the bench to score against Everton last time out. This fixture would be a special one for the Croatian, too, as it would mark his 200th Premier League appearance.
Villa have just one concern ahead of their trip to east Manchester as Pau Torres was left out of the squad against Newcastle due to a minor issue. Tyrone Mings partnered Ezri Konsa at the back, and this partnership looks likely to continue at the Etihad.
Leon Bailey is back available and will be hoping to make the squad on Tuesday, but there is so much competition for places among the attacking ranks. Donyell Malen has scored three goals in his previous four appearances (twice as a substitute), so Bailey has his work cut out to get back into the fold.
Ross Barkley is also back in contention but it’s unlikely he will depose either Youri Tielemans or Boubacar Kamara given the form they are in.
Ollie Watkins started against Newcastle and scored in the opening minute. He opened up after the game about his frustration surrounding his lack of game time in recent weeks, but he may just have reclaimed his spot back from Marcus Rashford, who will be eager to play on his return to Manchester
Man City are perceive as the favourites here, with a 5/6 price to take the victory. The Citizens have won five of their past eight home matches in the Premier League.
Both teams to score has been a successful bet in five of their last eight league games at the Etihad, so you can boost your odds by combining BTTS with a City win at 2/1, which has an implied probability of 33.3%. BTTS on its own is 1/2.
There is also value to be had in backing Villa to prevail at 3/1, which seems generous considering they have won five fixtures on the spin in the top flight.
City have drawn two of their previous five games in the league and the stalemate is also marketed at 3/1.
Villa forward Watkins has two goals in as many matches coming into Tuesday and he is the second favourite at 13/8 to strike anytime.
