100 goals each indicates it will rain goals between Man City and Barcelona

Only two clubs across Europe’s top leagues can boast already reaching the 100-goal barrier this season, with Manchester City now on 110 before visiting Norwich and Barcelona on exactly 100 after their 2-0 Copa del Rey success over Real Sociedad.

With the two set to meet in the last 16 of the Champions League, how can punters expect anything other than plenty of goals in the first leg at the Etihad?

Barcelona have played 17 away games this season and scored at least twice in over half of them, while they have netted three or more on seven occasions.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have helped themselves to at least four goals in over half of their 19 home outings in all competitions, only failing to score at least two on three occasions across these fixtures.

Based on the law of averages, Man City may score four here and Barcelona two and so 8/1 has to be regarded as a big price on over 5.5 goals being converted at the Etihad.

Alternatively, it is 6/4 for over 3.5 goals, 17/5 for over 4.5 goals and a tempting 16/1 that at least seven goals are scored at the Etihad.

All of Man City’s group-stage games this season witnessed at least four goals being netted, while in their nine home Champions League games in total, both teams have scored on eight occasions.

The pair are inseparable in the Champions League betting, with both priced at 8/5 to win at the Etihad.

However, the fact that Barcelona have never triumphed in four visits to Manchester and City have never lost at home to Spanish opposition, suggests that Manuel Pellegrini’s men are the better bet at the prices.

Alternatively, the draw can be backed at 12/5, which is a result that would more favour Barcelona as they bid to qualify for the Champions League quarter finals for the seventh successive season.