The Stats Zone
February 21 2023, 17:04 · Alex Sarwar

What will Man City's starting line-up be against RB Leipzig?

What will Man City's starting line-up be against RB Leipzig?

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Man City went through the group stage of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League unbeaten, but come into the first leg of this round of 16 tie against RB Leipzig on the back of a damaging 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola has been dealt a number of injury blows ahead of this game, with centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and John Stones alongside talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne all having not travelled to Germany with the rest of the squad. Despite this, it's never easy to predict a Man City starting XI under Guardiola, mainly due to the plethora of options at his disposal.

With Laporte and Stones out, a centre-back pairing of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake is likely to be preferred, although Manuel Akanji offers an alternative option. Ake has been a popular choice at left-back since the departure of Joao Cancelo but should he be required to switch positions, 18-year-old Rico Lewis offers a reliable and perhaps more attacking option in that role.

Rodri is the enforcer of Man City's midfield, having been an ever-present for them throughout the season and after finding the net at the weekend, Bernardo Silva will hope to play a key role again for City here. Although Ilkay Gundogan also started that match, Guardiola could opt for someone more attacking from the start this time round, especially should he set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation. However, injury to De Bruyne should significantly increase Gundogan's chances of a fourth consecutive start in all competitions.

Riyad Mahrez boasts an impressive goalscoring record in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage and in previous seasons, has been a trusted starter for Man City at this point of the competition. Star striker Erling Haaland will surely lead the line, but an alternate option is available if required in World Cup winner Julian Alvarez, who recorded two goals and two assists across the group stage. Whilst Jack Grealish started for City at the weekend, his place may well be taken by fellow England international Phil Foden, especially with the latter having proven adept at linking up successfully with Haaland.

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Lewis; Gundogan, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

UNAVAILABLE: Stones (Injured), Laporte (Injured), De Bruyne (Injured)

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