RB Leipzig vs Man City pits a side with a flawless home record against a team that has lost its early-season momentum. Leipzig’s impressive form at the Red Bull Arena gives them hope of reviving their Champions League campaign, while City arrive on the back of successive Premier League defeats.
Leipzig look to their home comforts
Leipzig have lost two of their three Champions League games this season, both 4-1 away to Como and Real Madrid, and sit outside the top 24. At home, though, they have been a different team. They have won all five competitive games at the Red Bull Arena this term without conceding, scoring 19 goals along the way.
They also carry a run of ten straight home wins into this match. Another victory would give them three consecutive Champions League home wins for the first time since a sequence of four between March and December 2020.
City searching for answers
City started the season superbly but lost ground with successive Premier League defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton. They then needed penalties to beat Brighton in the League Cup in midweek.
In the league phase, City are three points ahead of Leipzig with two wins and one defeat. They recovered from a 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain by thrashing AEK Athens 5-1. However, they have won just eight of their last 20 Champions League games (two draws, ten defeats), which is hardly the form of a side hoping to go all the way.
Their recent European away record is also unconvincing. City have won only three of their last ten away Champions League fixtures (one draw, six defeats), although they did win 2-0 at Porto in September.
Head-to-head history
City have won four of the six previous meetings, with one draw and one defeat. Those games have averaged five goals each. Leipzig have lost five successive matches against English opposition, while City are unbeaten in four visits to Germany (one win, three draws).
Key stats and streaks
Leipzig have not scored more than once in any of their last four Champions League games, their longest such run in the competition.
None of Leipzig’s last 25 group or league phase matches ended level (12 wins, 13 defeats).
Seven of City’s last eight competitive fixtures produced more than 9.5 corners.
City conceded five goals between the 16th and 30th minutes across their last four away Champions League games.
Players to watch and team news
Antonio Nusa has five goal contributions (one goal, four assists) in Leipzig’s last three games. All five of his goals for the club this term have come in wins to nil.
His fellow Norwegian, Erling Haaland, has scored 12 goals in eight appearances against Leipzig. Six of them came in this competition alone, a joint personal best against any opponent.
Maxime Estève missed Leipzig’s 2-0 win at Schalke on Saturday with a knock. City were only without Antoine Semenyo at the weekend, and he remains out with a knee injury.
Italian referee M. Guida takes charge at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.