Manchester City vs Coventry City Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Manchester City welcome newly promoted Coventry City to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday morning New Zealand time. City have won both of their opening fixtures and looked ominous after dismantling Crystal Palace 4-1. Coventry, back in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, are still waiting for a first goal and a first point.

In this Manchester City vs Coventry City preview, I’ve looked at both clubs’ early-season form and whether Coventry can avoid another heavy defeat.

I’ve also got a goals angle at a decent price for those looking to bet on football this weekend.

Manchester City

Rayan Cherki’s display at Selhurst Park was outrageous. Two goals, the first a dazzling piece of footwork finished with composure in the 54th minute, the second a right-footed strike from outside the box three minutes later. I’ve watched both many times.

Haaland scored either side of Cherki’s double, both of his goals coming against Palace. Two in two Premier League games, and he hasn’t even looked at full tilt yet.

City’s defence is my only concern. They needed two goals in the final eight minutes to salvage the Bournemouth opener, and they’ve conceded in both games. Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol are solid, but Maresca’s system leaves gaps in transition.

Enzo Fernandez’s arrival is fascinating. City paid £125m on deadline day for the Argentine, equalling the British transfer record. That follows Anderson (£116m from Forest) and Bouaddi (£86m from Lille), with Ndiaye (£65m from Everton) also arriving on the final day. Over £400m in one window.

Team News: Doku is out with a calf injury. Nunes is a fitness doubt. Fernandez and Ndiaye are available after deadline-day moves.

Predicted Lineup: Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Khusanov, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Cherki, Foden, Semenyo; Haaland.

Coventry City

Coventry spent 25 years out of the top flight. Now, as Championship champions, they don’t have a single Premier League goal to their name yet.

Coventry were overrun at Arsenal on the opening night. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scored inside the first 23 minutes, and Martin Odegaard added a third early in the second half. Coventry managed just 0.28 xG.

Against Hull at the CBS Arena, they were better. They had the ball, created half-chances and deserved more. Then Millar scored on the counter in the 82nd minute and all of it counted for nothing.

I don’t think their squad is as poor as two defeats and zero goals suggest. Carl Rushworth has looked composed at this level, and Yirenkyi, their £23m signing from Nordsjaelland, has ability. Awoniyi - signed from Forest - is a proven Premier League forward. They’ve just faced two sides who punish you for any lapse.

This is the toughest fixture on the calendar. And Stephen Mfuni, on loan from City, is ineligible.

Team News: Wright is out with a thigh injury. Woolfenden has a knee problem. Kesler-Hayden is sidelined with a thigh issue. Mfuni is ineligible against his parent club.

Predicted Lineup: Rushworth; van Ewijk, Amenda, Bobby Thomas, Dasilva; Grimes, Torp; Mason-Clark, Rudoni, Yirenkyi; Awoniyi.

• Coventry haven’t scored in either of their two Premier League games.
• City have scored in 21 consecutive Premier League matches.
• This is Coventry’s first-ever visit to the Etihad Stadium.
• Over 2.5 goals has come in during both of City’s league games this season.
• City haven’t recorded a clean sheet in eight consecutive matches across all competitions.

I can’t go against City. Coventry haven’t scored yet and their best forward is injured. Maresca’s squad has been reinforced to the tune of £400m, and his side have looked threatening every time they’ve gone forward this season.

I do wonder whether Coventry can nick one on the counter - City’s defensive record has been poor. But Coventry’s finishing across two games has been dire. I wouldn’t be backing BTTS here.

3-0 or 4-0 feels about right. If you’re checking odds across the best new betting sites, I’d look at City to cover a big handicap.

Manchester City to Win and Over 3.5 Goals @ $2.40

City scored four at Palace and could’ve had more. Haaland and Cherki are clicking. Fernandez adds creativity from deep, and Phil Foden hasn’t even had a big game yet this season.

Coventry’s two defeats have come by a combined 4-0, and without Haji Wright they don’t have the tools to trouble City consistently.

At $2.40, it’s a price I’m happy to back on the best live sports betting sites in New Zealand.