Manchester City v FC København match preview

Following a disappointing 2-2 draw in the opening match, the Citizens welcome FC København to Eastlands looking to secure their way to the final sixteen of the UEFA Cup. With Man City locked at tenth in the Premier League table and well off pace for a Europa League spot, this years competition is prioritized to domestic play.

Mark Hughes said of the match:

"We have a few injury concerns but we'd rather get the job done and put the game to bed than go the other way.

"You might think you can go with a weaker team and keep personnel in reserve hoping that you don't need them. But invariably, at some point you do need them, and I'd rather go the other way."

The Citizens are also the beneficiary of scheduling as København return to Danish Superliga action against bitter foes Brøndby IF. However København manager Ståle Solbakken is not about to go easy into the night and promises a tough battle:

"We will be better tomorrow than we were last week.

"That late goal at Parken obviously gives us a chance.

"It would be interesting to face Aalborg, another Danish team, in the next round but we have a tough task first and must try to do our job in the second leg. But this is a bonus game for us before our season restarts on Monday."

For the match, Mark Hughes will have Vincent Kompany available, although he has been dealing with a problematic toe injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips, suspended domestically, is available in European competition but will undergo a late fitness test regarding a ankle injury.

Man City will need to be at their best as the Danish side knows how to play a tough defensive match and last weeks match helped them work through the rustiness of inactivity.
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