Man City have won both previous meetings with Club Brugge in 2021, prevailing 4-1 and 5-1. Overall, the Sky Blues have won seven of their previous eight encounters with Belgian opposition, their sole defeat coming at Standard Liège 47 years ago. Brugge meantime have lost each of their last five visits to England, yet to win on English soil in 14 attempts.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Preview
Ahead of the final matchday in the Champions League, Manchester City are currently on course for elimination, making the permutations simple: they simply must win. A week ago, the Sky Blues were seemingly set for a crucial victory over Paris Saint-Germain, leading 2-0, thanks to quick-fire strikes from Jack Grealish and then Erling Braut Håland shortly after half time. On the contrary, after that, Pep Guardiola's team completely collapsed, conceding four times in the final half an hour or so at Parc des Princes, condemned to a catastrophic 4-2 defeat. Overall, the Citizens are now winless in four Champions League matches, losing each of their last three on the road, their sole victories in this competition, to date, coming against minnows Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague.
Thus, Man City currently find themselves 25th, two points below the all-important dotted line, knowing that failure to win this one would condemn the 2023 champions of Europe to an ignominious early elimination. At the weekend, the Sky Blues did claim a morale-boosting Premier League victory, fighting back from a goal down to beat Chelsea 3-1; Joško Gvardiol equalising, before Håland and Phil Foden secured the points. Guardiola's team are now unbeaten in six league matches, climbing back into fourth, but four of their next five opponents are the other members of the top five. None of those upcoming clashes though are as important as this one, so can the Citizens salvage a spot in the Champions League knockout phase?
As for Club Brugge, they have everything to play for too because, despite kicking off 20th, three points better off than their hosts, defeat could see them slip out of the top 24 places. Last Tuesday, the Blue-Blacks took their tally to 11 points by holding Juventus to a goalless draw at Jan Breydelstadion in a match that, put politely, did not catch fire. Nicky Hayen's side are therefore unbeaten in four Champions League matches, beating Sturm Graz, Sporting and, most-notably, Aston Villa to date. Across all competitions, Brugge are unbeaten in 20 matches, albeit they were held to an underwhelming 1-1 draw by Kortrijk on Saturday, leaving them second in the Jupiler Pro League, albeit their minds were surely on this huge tie. So, can Brugge book their place in the Champions League knockouts, thereby condemning Man City to an historic, humiliating early exit?
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 2.
- Manchester City Wins: 2. Draws: 0. Club Brugge Wins: 0.
Manchester City Team News
Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush were thrown in for their debuts against Chelsea, with Vitor Reis an unused substitute, but none of the trio are available in the Champions League until the knockouts, should Man City get there. At the back, in the absence of his new recruits, Pep Guardiola is short of options, considering Rúben Dias and Nathan Aké are sidelined, so John Stones is likely to start for the first time since 21 December following a foot injury. Ederson appears to be the number one once again, usurping Stefan Ortega in the pecking order, while Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Savinho were all on the bench at the weekend, so how many of the trio will return to the XI?
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Club Brugge: (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol; Kovačić, Silva, Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Club Brugge
Erling Braut Håland's tap-in againt Paris Saint-Germain took his tally to 47 Champions League goals, coming in just 46 appearances, and another one here could be priceless for Man City.
Club Brugge Team News
Nicky Hayen made seven changes against Kortrijk on Saturday, presumably with this game in mind, likely to largely revert to the team that drew with Juventus. This will feature Simon Mignolet, who's previously come up against Man City on 15 occasions, winning eight and losing eight, but conceding 35 goals. Joaquin Seys, Hugo Vetlesen and Michał Skóraś are all one booking away from a ban.
Club Brugge predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-3-3): Mignolet; Sabbe, Mechele, Ordóñez, De Cuyper; Jashari, Onyedika, Vanaken; Skov Olsen, Tzolis, Jutglà.
Club Brugge Player to Watch vs Manchester City
Ferran Jutglà has only scored five goals this season, but did bag two as Club Brugge reached the Champions League knockout stages two seasons ago, so can he get another crucial one here?
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Prediction
We are backing Man City to get the job done and collect the three points they need to sneak into the Champions League knockout stages: Manchester City 3-1 Club Brugge.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge FAQs - Champions League
How to watch Manchester City vs Club Brugge Champions League game on TV channel?
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Manchester City vs Club Brugge Champions League game on live streaming?
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester City vs Club Brugge in the Champions League?
Man City vs Club Brugge takes place on Wednesday 29 January 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).