As Manchester City and RB Leipzig prepare to face off in the Champions League, both teams have already secured a spot in the knockout round. However, the battle for the top spot in Group G is still on, with Manchester City currently leading by three points. In their previous encounter, Manchester City emerged victorious with a 3-1 win in Germany.
Manchester City, despite recent draws in the Premier League, has maintained a flawless record in the 2023-24 Champions League, winning all four group-stage matches. A win or draw in this fixture would secure their position at the top of the group.
RB Leipzig, having reached the semi-finals in the 2019-20 Champions League, has secured their place in the knockout stage with two games to spare. However, to claim the top spot in the group, they need a victory against Manchester City.
The Citizens will look to bounce back from recent disappointments in domestic competitions, aiming to continue their impressive Champions League form. On the other hand, RB Leipzig, coming off a Bundesliga defeat, faces a challenging task against a Manchester City side unbeaten at home in the European Cup since August 2020.
Key Points:
Group G Standings: Manchester City leads Group G with a perfect record, while RB Leipzig sits in second place, three points behind.
Previous Encounter: Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory against RB Leipzig in their earlier meeting in Germany.
Manchester City’s Form: Despite recent draws in the Premier League, Manchester City has won all four of their Champions League group stage matches.
RB Leipzig’s Challenge: RB Leipzig needs a win to have a chance of claiming the top spot in the group but faces the daunting task of defeating Manchester City at home.
Team News: Manchester City could see the return of Jack Grealish, while RB Leipzig will be without several key players, including Timo Werner and Dani Olmo.
Predicted Lineups:
- Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Akanji; Foden, Alvarez, B Silva, Doku; Haaland
- RB Leipzig: Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Simons, Schlager, Haidara, Forsberg; Openda, Poulsen
Prediction:
Manchester City is favored to win 3-1, considering their formidable home record and RB Leipzig’s recent struggles. Despite Leipzig’s talent, the task of defeating Manchester City on their home turf appears challenging.