Manchester City open their 2021/22 Champions League campaign with a tough group match at home against RB Leipzig, although the visitors have made a poor start to the domestic season.
City got all the way to the Champions League final in May, losing narrowly to Chelsea in Porto, and this is the one trophy that remains elusive to the club. Manager Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, is determined to win the competition for the first time since 2011.
This is where the challenge starts all over again.
How to watch Man City vs RB Leipzig on TV/live stream
What time is kick off? Wednesday 15 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Etihad Stadium
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Serdar Gozubuyuk (TUR)
VAR? Pol van Boekel (NED)
Man City team news
Other than Zack Steffen who recently tested positive for COVID-19, and Benjamin Mendy who remains suspended by the club, Guardiola has a full-strength squad at his disposal with no injury concerns. Rotation is possible.
RB Leipzig team news
Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch could be tempted to make changes after his team were heavily beaten by Bayern Munich at the weekend. That may mean Tyler Adams, Emil Forsberg and Amadou Haidara returning to the XI. Angelino should start against his former club.
Man City vs RB Leipzig predicted lineups
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Torres, Sterling
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Simakran, Angelino; Haidara, Adams; Szoboszlai, Forsberg, Olmo; Silva
Man City vs RB Leipzig head to head
This is actually a first, with City and Leipzig having never previously faced each other before now.
City have played German opposition on a number of occasions over the last 10 years, including Borussia Monchengladbach in three different seasons since 2015 alone.
Similarly, Leipzig are no stranger to English opponents, having faced Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool in the last two seasons.
Man City vs RB Leipzig score prediction
Manchester City haven’t been flawless in the Premier League this season, losing their opening game and winning only narrowly last time out either side of successive 5-0 victories.
Leipzig pose a major threat and ought not to be underestimated, although their 4-1 loss at home to Bayern on top of two earlier Bundesliga defeats will have dented confidence.
Whether Guardiola opts to tinker with his selection of not, the bottom line is that City have the depth in quality to ensure that they have enough options to win this game.
Prediction: Man City 2-0 RB Leipzig
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Source : 90min