The stage is set for an intriguing encounter in the UEFA Women's Champions League as SKN St. Plten hosts Manchester City on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The Austrian side, known for their tenacious defense and direct style of play, will face off against one of the top teams in the English Women's Super League (WSL), who have been making waves with their impressive performances this season.
Manchester City, fresh from their 2-0 victory over FC Barcelona on Matchday 1 of the group stage, are brimming with confidence. The Cityzens' aggressive pressing and solid defense have been key to their success, and they are expected to dominate the game against St. Plten. However, Gareth Taylor, the head coach of Manchester City, is cautious about underestimating the Austrian team.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Taylor emphasized that St. Plten may come out and press his side, which would require Manchester City to be smart with the ball and work it into the spaces that the Austrians will leave. He noted that St. Plten's style can vary greatly, from a defensive approach to high-pressing, and that his team needs to be prepared for both scenarios.
St. Plten, on the other hand, has been on a roll domestically, winning six out of seven matches in the ADMIRAL Frauen Bundesliga. They have scored 24 goals and conceded just once, showcasing their strength at both ends of the pitch. The Austrian champions have also navigated through qualifying rounds without conceding a goal, netting 14 times in four ties.
Despite their impressive form, St. Plten's European campaign has been less successful. They lost 2-0 to Swedish side Hammarby in their group opener, which means they will need to produce something special to reach the knockout rounds. Their next four European matches include clashes against Manchester City and Barcelona, before they wrap up the group stage with an away game against Hammarby.
For Manchester City, the focus remains on maintaining their momentum. After beating Barcelona, they almost succumbed to a post-match hangover but managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the WSL. This win moved them to the top of the WSL table with 10 points, giving them a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Manchester United.
The absence of key players like Naomi Layzell and Vivianne Miedema could be a concern for Manchester City. Layzell picked up an injury in the closing stages of the Barcelona match and missed Sunday's win against Liverpool. Miedema was also absent at the weekend and will be assessed before the midweek trip to Austria. Risa Shimizu and Sandy MacIver are out for the long haul with ACL injuries.
Despite these absences, Manchester City's attack remains potent. Khadija Shaw has been in top form, scoring six goals in her last five appearances in all competitions. Her stoppage-time winner against Liverpool moved her side to the top of the WSL table, and she will look to continue her fine run of form against St. Plten.
The predicted lineup for Manchester City includes Yamashita in goal, Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, and Ouahabi in defense. In midfield, Park, Hasegawa, and Roord are expected to start alongside Fowler and Hemp upfront. Shaw's partnership with Fowler could be crucial in breaking down St. Plten's defense.
St. Plten's predicted lineup features Schluter in goal, Krizaj, Vracevic, Klein, and Wenger in defense. In midfield, Mikolajova, Hillebrand, and Dubcova are expected to start alongside Madl upfront. Mattner-Trembleau and Pekel will likely form the attacking trio for the Austrian side.
Given the significant skill gap between the two teams, it is hard to see St. Plten having a real chance of scoring. Even with the home-field advantage, they are outmatched in many ways. Manchester City is quicker, stronger, and more consistent, which should give them an edge in this match.
Sports Mole predicts a 0-2 victory for Manchester City, citing their impressive display against Barcelona and their ability to control games. The Austrian outfit will try hard to defend and avoid a big loss but may struggle to cope with Manchester City's aggressive pressing.
In conclusion, this match promises to be an exciting encounter between two teams with different styles and strengths. While St. Plten will look to defend and create opportunities through direct play, Manchester City will aim to dominate possession and capitalize on their attacking prowess.
For more detailed analysis and predictions, including team news and lineups, visit Sports Mole.
