RB Leipzig vs Manchester City: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

After two back-to-back defeats, Cityzens travel to Leipzig for a UCL night

RB Leipzig have been coming up with positive results since their season kickstarted with Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup final. After thrashing Bayern by 3-0, the team coached by Marco Rose has played a further 8 games till now. And out of the total 9 games they featured in all competitions, Leipzig has lost just once that too by 3-2 against Xabi Alonso's high-flying Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

After losing the FA Community Shield finals against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal that too in penalty shootouts, Man City were on a winning streak in all competitions. But in the last two games, we have seen Pep Guardiola's men crumble to back-to-back defeats. Firstly Newcastle United knocked them out from the EFL Cup and the second and latest defeat came from a Premier League trip to Molineux Stadium. Wolverhampton Wanderers won 2-1.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 4 October 2023 at 8:00 PM BST

Thursday, 5 October 2023 at 12:30 AM IST

Location: Red Bull Arena Leipzig

Form

RB Leipzig (in all competitions): D-W-W-W-W

Man City (in all competitions): L-L-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)

The German side's 20-year-old player was named as the man of the match in the UEFA Champions League opener against BSC Young Boys. Xavi Simons's decision to join PSV Eindhoven after struggling at Paris Saint-Germain proved to be fruitful. Now after rejoining PSG, he is spending this season on loan at RB Leipzig and has wasted no time in settling in. Simons has 3 goals and 4 assists in all competitions after 9 appearances.

Julián Álvarez (Man City)

After the 2022-23 treble-winning team lost their creator Kevin De Bruyne, Julián Álvarez stepped up and moulded into a new role. Guardiola has realised his excellent team-linking ability as the player can score and provide assists as and when needed for the team. Even in the last game against Wolves, we saw the Argentinian 2022 FIFA World Cup winner score a mesmerizing free kick. Also in the UCL opener against FK Crvena zvezda, Álvarez netted a brace.

Match Facts

• Both RB Leipzig and Man City won their UCL opener by 3-1 against BSC Young Boys and FK Crvena zvezda respectively
• The German side are unbeaten in the last 7 games in all competitions. With 6 wins included and just a draw that too against FC Bayern
• Man City are going into the UCL fixture against Leipzig on the back of two consecutive defeats

Injury & Team News

In the Bayern draw, RB Leipzig lost Kevin Kampl to an injury related to the hip. Kampl will be out of this one. The German club also have Timo Werner, Dani Olmo, Willi Orban and El Chadaille Bitshiabu sidelined. Only Werned has back issues while all others are dealing with their knee injuries.

The last season's treble winners on the other hand have their very important player Kevin De Bruyne out due to a long-term hamstring injury. Along with him, defender John Stones is still a question mark for the squad that will make it to the UCL matchday 2. Bernardo Silva also has an unreported leg problem since the UCL opener and is likely to miss.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 4

RB Leipzig wins – 1

Man City wins – 2

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineup

RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-2-2):

Blaswich (GK); Henrichs, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald; Simons, Forsberg; Poulsen, Openda

Man City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Ederson (GK); Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Nunes, Rodri; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland

Match Prediction for RB Leipzig vs Manchester City

Even though Man City are treble winners of last year, one can't shake away the fact they are struggling a bit lately. Also, the German club are doing immensely well in their games in all competitions. Even though City has Erling Haaland who netted five times in their last meeting with Leipzig, things are a bit different now. The home side can snatch away a win if every player puts up a show.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-1 Man City

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US –  CBS Sports

Nigeria – Supersport