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Match preview

Will Manchester City avoid their earliest Champions League exit sine 2017?

The Citizens are still yet to win the competition they really want, beaten in the final two years ago and then in last season’s semis by Real Madrid.

Here, they face a real fight to dump out RB Leipzig, after the first leg in eastern Germany ended 1-1.

Riyāḍ Maḥrez fired the visitors in front at Red Bull Arena, only for Joško Gvardiol’s towering second half header to salvage a draw.

So, this rematch is winner takes all.

Manchester City beat RB Leipzig 6-3 when the two met in last season’s group phase, and a similarly high-scoring affair is anticipated.

The Sky Blues are unbeaten in 23 Champions League home games, winning 21 of them, so very much expect to progress here.

RB Leipzig though will be no push-overs, currently third in the Bundesliga, having smashed Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0 on Saturday.

Die Roten Bullen have lost five of their seven previous outings in the UK, but Marco Rose’s team will believe a shock is possible.

Who will progress at the Etihad?

Manchester City team news

Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker were both on the bench at Selhurst Park on Saturday, but both are likely to return here.

Phil Foden has rediscovered his best form recently, so will continue to start over first leg scorer Riyāḍ Maḥrez.

RB Leipzig will be well aware of Erling Braut Håland’s threat, given that he’s scored six goals in five appearances against them.

RB Leipzig team news

Janis Blaswich will continue to deputise in goal for club captain Péter Gulácsi who suffered a horrendous ACL injury against Celtic in the group phase.

At the other end of the field Christopher Nkunku, who scored a hat-trick at the Etihad last season, is a doubt, having made his return ten days ago, before sitting out Saturday’s win.

Manchester City vs RB Leipzig: Head to head statistics

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