Manchester City’s quest for Champions League glory resumes this week when they meet RB Leipzig in the first leg of a last 16 tie.

City reached this stage of the competition by topping Group G before the World Cup, going unbeaten in the process and enjoying the joint best defensive record (2 goals conceded) of any club.

In the first knockout draw, they were paired with a Leipzig side who finished only point behind Real Madrid during the group stage and represent one of the tougher available opponents. Leipzig are also well in the top four hunt in the Bundesliga to return to next season’s Champions League.

These teams met as recently as last season’s group stage, with City winning 6-3 at home, but Leipzig later prevailing 2-1 in the reverse fixture.

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RB Leipzig vs Man City H2H Results

Current Form (Last Five Games)

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RB Leipzig team news

Christopher Nkunku was back at the weekend first time since a knee injury ruled him out of the World Cup. Leipzig fans will be keen to see the prolific Frenchman start this one.

But the absences of Dani Olmo, Abdou Diallo and goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi aren’t ideal.

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RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Blaswich; Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Laimer, Schlager; Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner; Silva.

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Man City team news

City are coming into this one in good health. Only John Stones is missing through injury, which is a blow, but there are no suspensions either.

Pep Guardiola can sometimes be his own worst enemy when it comes to tactical shifts and formation tweaks, but he has switched to a version of 3-2-4-1 in recent weeks.

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Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Dias; Rodri, B. Silva; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.

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Leipzig beat Real Madrid at home during the group stage, with the 3-2 result only as close as it was in the end because of a stoppage time penalty from Rodrygo. The Germans therefore have recent precedent against European giants and ought not to be taken lightly.

There are plenty of quality players throughout the Leipzig squad and three of them – Josko Gvardiol, Timo Werner and Christopher Nkunku scored in that win over Real.

A City side that has been inconsistent in the Premier League to say the least in recent weeks will have to be at its best to come away from this one without defeat.

Leipzig have shown in both the Champions League and Bundesliga this season that although not ironclad at the back, they are capable of scoring goals.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-2 Man City