RB Leipzig vs Man City 04/10/2023: Honours even in energetic affair at Red Bull Arena
Manchester City are hoping to avoid a third straight Champions League loss when they travel to face RB Leipzig in the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
RB Leipzig vs Man City – Date, KO time and TV coverage
Champions League, Wednesday, October 4, Kick-off 8pm, live on TNT Sports
RB Leipzig vs Man City – Predictions
- Over 2.5 goals and both teams score
- RB Leipzig to win or draw
- RB Leipzig 2-2 Man City
RB Leipzig vs Man City – Team News
There’s a fearless edge about this young Leipzig team who will deploy 20-year-old starlet Xavi Simons in an advanced role in their 4-2-2-2 setup.
German internationals David Raum and Benjamin Henrichs have crucial roles to play in marshalling the wide areas outside of Leipzig’s narrow formation.
Lois Openda scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season and has hit the ground running at his new club with four goals in six league matches.
Rodri will make a welcome return for City but is still suspended from Premier League action.
Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are still unavailable so Mateo Kovacic and Julian Alvarez could continue in midfield.
Jeremey Doku has looked lively and should start after coming off the bench against Wolves, while former Leipzig player Josko Gvardiol will start against his old club.
RB Leipzig vs Man City – Verdict
RB Leipzig will look to replicate the 2-1 win they produced here two years ago with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Andre Silva sinking CIty.
RB Leipzig have claimed the scalp of Bayern Munich once this season, beating the German champions 3-0 on their patch, and led 2-0 in Leipzig at the weekend.
Man City’s campaign got off to a flying start with six straight wins but they’ve since lost back-to-back games to Newcastle and Wolves.
Those defeats have applied a little bit of pressure for the first time this season, but the champions of Europe are still strong favourites to win in Germany.
Last season’s meetings saw Pep Guardiola’s side dominate the first half in Germany but concede a second-half equaliser scored by Gvardiol.
The Citizens put Marco Rose’s side in their place just three weeks later, as Erling Haaland netted five times in a thumping 7-0 win at the Etihad.
Wednesday’s meeting at Red Bull Arena promises to be a tougher test than the odds suggest. The host’s strong start to the season demonstrates how well they’ve recruited.
Szoboszlai, Gvardiol, Konrad Laimer and Christopher Nkunku have been plucked from their ranks in recent times.
The arrivals of Openda, Simons and Benjamin Sesko, a trio who have combined for nine goals so far, have helped Leipzig tally 25 goals in nine matches.
We’ve not seen vintage City just yet, but they did register 15 goals in five straight wins in which they scored at least two goals.
This is one of the strongest teams Leipzig has ever compiled and they should be able to find the net at least once against the English champions.
