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FC Alashkert's inability to score a consolation goal against 10-man Celtic cost the column on Wednesday but with the 2018 International Champions Cup kicking off this weekend there's plenty for punters to get stuck into, with Manchester City's clash with Borussia Dortmund among the early highlights.
Running total: +£33.21
The Banker
Manchester City have arrived in Chicago ahead of their ICC opener against Borussia Dortmund, the first of 27 games in this elite preseason competition played across three continents in July and August. Somewhat surprisingly, last season's runaway Premier League champions have been chalked up as 15/8 outsiders in the betting to see off the German outfit. This despite the fact that Riyad Mahrez, City's record signing, is in line to make his debut after finalising his £60 million move from Leicester City. Boss Pep Guardiola will be without the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Fabian Delph for their American trip due to their participation at the World Cup. But this is still a pretty strong Manchester City side with Mahrez, Leroy Sane and young English prodigy Ben Foden all set to feature. With this in mind there could be a bit of value punting them at 15/8 to win at Soldier Field.
Selection: £4 on Manchester City to win at 15/8 with bet365
The Tasty Treble
European powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also in ICC action on Saturday and the German giants are odds on for the win. This game will take place at the Worthersee Stadion in Austria, and the odds compilers don't fancy the chances of Thomas Tuchel getting his PSG tenure off to a winning start. The Parisians are 16/5 for victory but will have to do it without a host of star names who are still enjoying a well earned rest after their exertions at Russia 2018. And with Tuchel bound to experiment and look at some fringe players in Austria, it could pay to back Bayern at 8/13. Guardiola's City look too big at 15/8 to win in Chicago, while it could prove profitable backing the draw at 15/4 when Liverpool travel to Blackburn on Thursday evening. It remains to be seen what type of team Jurgen Klopp will take to Ewood Park, and adding the draw there to ICC wins for City and Bayern Munich gives a treble with bet365 paying over 20/1.
Selection: £1 on the treble at 21.06/1 with bet365
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The Wildcard Tip
Niko Kovac has been identified as the man to lead Bayern to a seventh straight Bundesliga title this season, and he will be focused on winning his debut game as boss of a club he represented over 50 times as a player. Arjen Robben, Sandro Wagner and Arturo Vidal should all feature against PSG, and while a win for the Germans is the most logical call against a team who will be without Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, they may have to be patient in Austria. The Draw -- Bayern Munich double result is a 15/4 shout with bet365 and looks a solid bet.
Selection: £2 on Draw - Bayern Half-Time Full-Time at 15/4 with bet365
The Bookie Basher
Manchester City and Dortmund were pitted together in the Champions League group stages a couple of seasons ago, drawing 1-1 at the Etihad before Dortmund punched out a 1-0 win at home. This weekend's game could be another close run thing, with both teams keen to get their players match fit after the summer recess. The fact that Dortmund have already started their preseason campaign has probably influenced bookmakers into making them favourites here, but a 2-1 City victory at 17/2 looks very tempting under the circumstances. Sane could have a point to prove after being omitted from Germany's World Cup squad and he could quite easily light up Soldier Field if the mood takes him.
Selection: £2 on Manchester City to win 2-1 at 17/2 with bet365
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Source: espn.co.uk