Manchester City vs PSG

Inconsistent Manchester City continued their patchy form as the could only draw 0-0 at home to French outfit PSG. Luckily for us though, Tom Allen had predicted this and our lay of the Mancunians sees us reap some profit

Manchester City proved once again on Sunday just how inconsistent they are with a very unconvincing display in the derby and I’m not sure what to expect from them any more. Maybe Mark Hughes doesn’t either and City look plenty short enough at odds-on against PSG at Eastlands in the Uefa Cup on Wednesday. I’ll be taking them on that price.

City have the ability to win any game but, while they have recorded victories in both outings to date in Europe, Hughes is set to be without most of his key men. He may choose to rest the majority of his starting line up, having already secured a place in the knockout stages, and the Welshman could be missing Robinho, Richards and Wright-Phillips. Surely none of that trio will be risked and City have a tricky trip to Fulham on Saturday lunchtime where they need to resume wining ways domestically.

I was bitterly disappointed with City’s effort on Sunday when they were second best to Manchester United for large parts of the game and the home side rarely threatened Edwin van der Sar’s goal. PSG are doing OK in Ligue 1, just three points off second place, and with the French side having everything still to play for in Group A I think they can return with at least a point. PSG have a talented squad and will be eager to make the knockout stages.

Paul Le Guen, the former Lyon and Rangers manager, is now in charge of the Paris club and he has players with Premier League experience to call upon. I expect Claude Makelele to play some part while Mateja Kezman will be keen to prove a point. The Serbian striker flopped at Chelsea but has been prolific everywhere else he has played and is currently on loan from Fenerbahce. Kezman could well partner Péguy Luyindula in attack and they’ll certainly be supported by the excellent Jérôme Rothen. He is a player I like and one that can cause City problems.

PSG drew 2-2 with Racing last time out, following an opening night defeat in Schalke, and they know a point will give them every chance of progressing with FC Twente on home soil still to come. Their opponents look lightweight up front, Jo has not blossomed since his big money summer move and Hughes has very few other options, so this could well be a low scoring affair.

Two goals or less would be no surprise but is priced accordingly and the best bet is to lay the home side. 1.85 looks short about a team that has lost four times already on home soil this season and the visitors have a more than fair record on their travels.