Game Week. 3 Predictions: Manchester City to blow Coventry City away

Man City vs Coventry preview: Maresca’s side chase a third straight win as Lampard’s Sky Blues visit the Etihad.

Manchester City is primed to win the battle of the Sky Blues at the Etihad. Can Coventry City spring some surprises? (Photo credit: BBC)

 Manchester City vs Coventry City

Etihad Stadium

3:00pm

We have five games at 3pm on Saturday, but we'll focus on the one at the Etihad, where Enzo Maresca hopes to win three in a row.

The irony is that it's a game against Coventry City, a team that already lost their opening two games. A third straight loss for Frank Lampard's side could spell doom early on. Coventry City will hope to avoid the Wolves' lane at this stage of the season.

At the Etihad, one Sky Blue is at the top and the other at the bottom. This looks like the easiest game to predict this weekend, but last season's second-tier champions could have some surprises in store for their hosts.

The Cityzens haven't hit top gear yet. That must scare their visitors. The win over Crystal Palace last season had moments where the game could be in doubt, but Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki stood to be counted, and City cruised to victory.

It doesn't get easier for Coventry City. The Sky Blues had to play Arsenal on the opening day, after which they had the only easy fixture so far in a home game against Hull City, which they lost 1-0. Now they must contend with a team that is chasing the title.

Right after the visit to Etihad, Coventry will host free-scoring Brighton at the CBS Arena before another home tie in the League Cup against Aston Villa. There could be some respite in the trip to Nottingham Forest after the cup game, but they host Newcastle right after that.

To stay in the league, you must pick results at important grounds. Not many will expect Coventry to pick anything from this game, but concessions here and there will only lead them back into the Championship League.

How will Manchester City approach this game? The former champions are on a mission to reclaim their title. They have Arsenal to contend with, and that is why they have spent heavily to replace their big hitters who moved on. Are we going to see Enzo Fernandez on Saturday?

Ayyoub Bouaddi will likely start alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield, while we expect Haaland to lead the line, with Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, and Phil Foden behind him. The defense is still finding the right balance, but Mattheus Nunes is back to full fitness.

Coventry must stay compact, defend deep, and take their chances if they do get one. Losing at home to a fellow newly promoted side last weekend stung badly, but they can put up a good performance here to help their belief ahead of upcoming games.

Verdict: Manchester City to win