Premier League40 min ago1 minute read

Pep Guardiola set for Etihad return after Manchester City guilty verdict

Pep Guardiola will attend Manchester City's Champions League match against PSG, his first visit to the Etihad since the club's financial verdict.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Guardiola returns to the stands

Pep Guardiola is set to return to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. The former manager is expected to attend Manchester City's Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.

This will be the first time the 55 year old has been in the stands since he stepped down at the end of last season. It is also the club's first home game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules.

The financial breaches in question took place between 2009 and 2018. Guardiola managed the club from 2016, winning 20 trophies during his 10 year stay.

Strong support for his former club

The timing of his return is highly significant following the Premier League's verdict. After the independent commission shared its findings, Guardiola publicly backed his former team on social media.

Guardiola wrote, "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here more than ever." He added that he will always be behind the club, the owner, the chairman, Ferran Soriano, the players, staff, manager Enzo Maresca, and the supporters, saying, "we will get through this together."

Manchester City have maintained their innocence and filed an appeal. Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano have both stated that they believe the club will be cleared.

A busy week on the pitch

Manchester City face a busy week on the pitch. Before the Champions League match, they travel to Anfield to play Liverpool on Sunday.

There are injury worries ahead of that fixture. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both doubts for the clash between Liverpool and Manchester City. Three days after the Liverpool match, City will host reigning European champions PSG.

What it means for the next game

Liverpool vs Manchester City (Premier League, Sun, 11 Oct): Liverpool win 34%, draw 26%, Manchester City win 40%; expected goals 1.36 to 1.50. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.

Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League, Wed, 14 Oct): Manchester City win 45%, draw 24%, Paris Saint-Germain win 31%; expected goals 1.79 to 1.45. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.