Manchester City are seen as the top contenders to win their second Champions League title this season and in their first match, they will face Inter Milan — the team they defeated in the 2022-23 final.
The Citizens, who are aiming for their seventh Premier League title in eight seasons, have started the season strongly with their key striker Erling Haaland scoring nine goals in four games.
However, Inter comfortably secured the Serie A title last season and will be looking to retaliate after their loss in the 2023 final where City's midfield gem Rodri netted the winning goal.
Team news
Manchester City will be without the injured Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb, but Rodri is expected to start for the first time this season.
Inter Milan are likely to bring back center-back Alessandro Bastoni and midfielders Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu. Winger Tajon Buchanan is the only player missing from the visiting team due to injury.
The stats
Erling Haaland has scored nine goals in his first four Premier League matches this season.
Manchester City have recorded goals in their last seven home league victories.
Out of their last 13 home Champions League games, City have won 12.
In their recent six Serie A matches, Inter Milan have drawn four.
In 13 of Inter's last 16 Champions League games, there have been fewer than 2.5 goals.
In their most recent eight away matches across all competitions, both teams scored in six of Inter's games.
Prediction
Manchester City have an impressive track record at home in the Champions League, winning 15 out of the 17 matches they have played over the past three seasons.
Exceptions include a 0-0 draw against Sporting in March 2022, following a 5-0 victory in the away leg, and a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in last season's quarter-final second leg.
On Wednesday, City is expected to dominate against Inter Milan as they did in the past matches.
Guardiola's squad has won their previous six home league games with scorelines of 4-1, 5-1, 5-1, 3-1, 4-1, and 2-1, so Inter might have opportunities to score.
This season, teams like Ipswich and Brentford managed to take early leads against City, making a 3-1 victory for City a reasonable bet.
Inter's recent 4-0 triumph over Atalanta in Serie A was impressive, but they struggled to score in draws against Genoa and Monza this season, suggesting that they might find it challenging to contain the in-form Haaland.