Manchester City’s quest for UEFA Champions League glory resumes this week when they meet RB Leipzig in the first leg of a last 16 tie.
City reached this stage of the competition by topping Group G before the World Cup, going unbeaten in the process and enjoying the joint best defensive record (2 goals conceded) of any club.
In the first knockout draw, they were paired with a Leipzig side who finished only point behind Real Madrid during the group stage and represent one of the tougher available opponents. Leipzig are also well in the top four hunt in the Bundesliga to return to next season’s Champions League.
These teams met as recently as last season’s group stage, with City winning 6-3 at home, but Leipzig later prevailing 2-1 in the reverse fixture.
RB Leipzig team news
Christopher Nkunku was back at the weekend first time since a knee injury ruled him out of the World Cup. Leipzig fans will be keen to see the prolific Frenchman start this one.
But the absences of Dani Olmo, Abdou Diallo, and goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi aren’t ideal.
RB Leipzig predicted lineup vs Man City
RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Blaswich; Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Laimer, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner; Silva.
Man City team news
John Stones was known to be injured coming into this one, but Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte have also been left out of the travelling squad.
Pep Guardiola can sometimes be his own worst enemy when it comes to tactical shifts and formation tweaks, but he has switched to a version of 3-2-4-1 in recent weeks.
Man City predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest
Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias; Rodri, B. Silva; Mahrez, Foden, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.
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