Reeling from another setback in their Premier League title chase, Manchester City will be looking to put things right when they host Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad on Tuesday in the Champions League league phase.
City have taken 10 points from their first four matches, placing them fourth in the 36-team standings and well above their visitors, who sit in 21st. However, the German side arrive in excellent form and full of confidence.
By the end of Premier League gameweek 12, City had a chance to be just one point behind leaders Arsenal. Instead, Arsenal could move seven points clear if they defeat Tottenham on Sunday, adding further pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side.
The 2-1 loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park added to City’s frustrations. After an hour without a breakthrough, the match exploded into life as Harvey Barnes opened the scoring, Ruben Dias briefly levelled, and Barnes struck again to seal a memorable win for Eddie Howe’s team.
The defeat was City’s second straight Premier League loss away from home and halted their run of four consecutive wins across all competitions. Yet Europe has offered some relief. Guardiola’s side have been bettered only by flawless Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in the league phase and cruised to a 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in their most recent outing. They have now won six of their last seven home games in all competitions.
City’s Champions League home record is even more impressive. They have avoided defeat in 23 consecutive home matches in the league phase or group stage, winning 20 of those, and have scored at least twice in each of their seven recent wins at the Etihad.
Leverkusen will present a serious challenge to that streak. The Bundesliga Invincibles of 2023-24 have rediscovered their strength under Kasper Hjulmand, who took over after Erik ten Hag’s departure. Hjulmand secured their first Champions League win of the season on November 5 with a 1-0 victory away to Benfica, and the momentum has only grown since.
A 6-0 demolition of Heidenheim before the international break was followed by a composed 3-1 win at Wolfsburg on Saturday, lifting Leverkusen to second in the Bundesliga. Seven of their last nine matches in all competitions have ended in victory, and another win on Tuesday would be historic, bringing them to 50 Champions League victories.
However, achieving that milestone against the reigning European champions will be a formidable task. Adding intrigue to the showdown is the fact that this will be the first ever competitive meeting between Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Manchester City remain without their midfield duo of Rodri and Mateo Kovacic. Rodri is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Kovacic faces several more months out as he recovers from a calcified ankle.
Apart from those absences, City are in good condition for Leverkusen’s visit, and Guardiola may be inclined to freshen things up after Saturday’s disappointment. That could open the door for players such as John Stones, Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho to come into the side.
Erling Haaland struggled to make an impact at St James’ Park, but he has scored in his last five Champions League matches and also struck four goals against Leverkusen during his time with Borussia Dortmund.
For the German side, key midfielder Robert Andrich will serve the second game of his suspension after being sent off in the 7-2 defeat to Paris Saint Germain, where he elbowed Desire Doue. Defender Edmond Tapsoba is also unavailable after picking up too many bookings.
With Tapsoba out, England international Jarell Quansah is expected to partner Loic Bade and Jeanuel Belocian in defence, while Axel Tape remains sidelined with a thigh injury.
Andrich’s absence leaves Leverkusen with only two fit central midfielders, Ibrahim Maza and Aleix Garcia. Equi Fernandez and Exequiel Palacios are both sidelined, and Maza himself was withdrawn at halftime against Wolfsburg after taking a minor knock to the thigh.
Fortunately for Leverkusen, Maza’s issue is not serious, meaning on loan City youngster Claudio Echeverri is unlikely to be thrown into the starting lineup against his parent club.
Lucas Vazquez and Arthur are also expected to miss the trip due to muscle and back problems respectively, while backup goalkeeper Janis Blaswich is similarly unavailable.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Lewis, Stones, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Savinho, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Flekken; Belocian, Bade, Quansah; Tella, Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Manchester City 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
