Sevilla vs Manchester City

Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan forms the backdrop for Sevilla’s opening Champions League Group G encounter against Manchester City.

An underperforming Sevilla succumbed to a dreadful 3-0 home defeat to Barcelona at the weekend, extending their winless start to the new La Liga season to four matches (D1, L3). Miles away from the form that brought them a record-breaking six Europa League titles, the Spaniards will be out to defy their underwhelming eight-game record against Premier League clubs in the Champions League group stages (W1, D3, L4). Head coach Julen Lopetegui has come under heavy scrutiny following his side’s abysmal start. Yet he can draw confidence from Sevilla’s six-match unbeaten record on the Champions League opening day (W2, D4). However, it’s worth noting that ‘Los Rojiblancos’ have only won one of their last eight outings in Champions League proper (D4, L3) and could lose back-to-back matches in the competition for the first time since November 2015.

On the other hand, Manchester City’s six-match unbeaten start to the new Premier League campaign (W4, D2) bodes well for their bid to overcome a lacklustre six-game form in their Champions League away fixtures (W2, D1, L3). With standout striker Erling Haaland in record-breaking form, the ‘Cityzens’ head into the new Champions League season as the leading candidates to take home the first-ever ‘Big Ears’ award. But there’s no room for complacency in Pep Guardiola’s corner since his side suffered two defeats in three away matches in last season’s Champions League group stage (W1). On top of that, the defending Premier League champions have picked up just two victories in their previous 13 visits to Spanish opponents in major European competitions (D2, L8).