Manchester City can rely on Phil Foden to save their Champions League hopes
Manchester City can rely on Phil Foden to save their Champions League hopes
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Champions League clubs stage their own version of WWE wrestling’s Battle Royal on Wednesday when all 36 clubs play at the same time to decide their fate. Kick-off for all the matches in the final round of league-phase fixtures is 8pm, with the top eight advancing straight to the last-16, teams nine to 24 facing each other in two-legged play-offs and the bottom 12 being eliminated.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores his team's second goal past David Raya of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236447344-4682.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It means instead of numerous dead rubbers matchday eight will be must-watch television with those vital positions changing every time a goal is scored. Manchester City were touted here last week as potential Champions League winners at 8/1 only to promptly surrender a two-goal lead and lose 4-2 at Paris Saint-Germain. Gulp!.
That dropped them to 25th in the table but they can avoid being knocked out if they win at home to Club Bruges, securing their survival no matter what happens elsewhere. It’s not a forgone conclusion as the Belgians drew 0-0 with Juventus last week but City should have too much firepower as they have scored at least twice in their last seven matches in all competitions.
A revitalised Phil Foden scored in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Chelsea, taking his recent tally to six in as many games, and he is 11/2 with bet365 to celebrate the opening goal and 8/5 with Unibet to score at any time. Kevin de Bruyne is also getting back to his best so a 3-1 City triumph is worth following at 13/2 with William Hill as Bruges, who should finish in the play-off places but still harbour hopes of a top-eight spot, will have to attack when falling behind.
