Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Manchester City remain a shadow of their previously relentless selves, despite improvement, as they now take on Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+ & DAZN
Man City preview: Inconsistent City
Pep Guardiola has overseen yet another tactical evolution in charge of Manchester City and the Cityzens have been much-improved this time around, but they have been quite inconsistent once again this season, as shown at the weekend.
City head into the visit of Leverkusen on the back of an entertaining but controversial defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park a Ruben Dias equaliser sandwiched by a Harvey Barnes brace.
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Trying to find rhythm
Having seen a lot of change at the club over the summer, Erik ten Hag was sacked within a few weeks of the campaign, replaced by former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, with Bayer Leverkusen transitioning into a new era.
The home team do head into this one on the back of some improved form of late as they defeated Wolfsburg by three goals to one away from home the other day, making it five victories in their last six matches across all competitions.
Man City team news: Always keen to rotate
Pep Guardiola is known for his desire to consistently and quite dramatically rotate. They have a confirmed absentee in midfield with Mateo Kovacic ruled out, whilst Rodri is unlikely to be passed fit in time to play.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable: Kovacic (Injured)
Questionable: Rodri (Fitness)
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Couple of suspensions
Leverkusen head to England with several suspension issues for this weekend as Burkina Faso international defender Edmund Tapsoba now sidelined alongside Germany international midfielder Robert Andrich.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Flekken; Arthur, Quansah, Bade, Belocian; Arthur, Garcia, Maza, Grimaldo; Echeverri, Schick, Poku
Unavailable: Tapsoba (Suspended), Andrich (Suspended), Palacios (Injured), Fernandez (Injured)
Questionable: Vazquez (Injured)
Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
Manchester City have a strong side and they still have a lot of quality options, even if they were able to rotate against Leverkusen. They will believe they were simply hard done by in defeat against Newcastle and so will be angered and ready to bounce back. They are always susceptible at the back, though, and they face in-form opposition. City should come out on top here but Leverkusen will fancy themselves to at least score at the Etihad.
Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen Tip: Man City to win & both teams to score
