RB Leipzig vs Man City: UCL R16 Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

RB Leipzig vs Man City: 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.

Match Details:

• Location: Leipzig, Germany
• Stadium: Red Bull Arena
• Date: Wednesday 22 February
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT/ 1:30 IST
• Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk (NED)
• VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)

RB Leipzig vs Man City: Match Preview:

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.

Beer anyone? https://t.co/CVO0AfMTgv

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 21, 2023

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.

Ahead of our trip to Leipzig in the UCL, we get an expert's opinion of what to expect in Germany! 🇩🇪🙌

✍️ @LovellLowdown

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 20, 2023

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.

Team News:

RB Leipzig:

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.

🎙️ Marco Rose at the #RBLMCI press conference: "I work closely with the players and I trust them a lot. We're playing against one of the best teams tomorrow and we want to play with courage and use the opportunity we have." pic.twitter.com/5J5JBpHdp4

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 21, 2023

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

Man City:

John Stones was known to be injured coming into this one, but Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte have also been left out of the travelling squad.

𝐋𝐄𝚰𝐏𝐙𝚰𝐆 🔜 pic.twitter.com/txnPup21Ip

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2023

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.

RB Leipzig vs Man City: Head to Head:

The two matches played between Manchester City and RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League have witnessed a total of 12 goals being scored, with both teams winning one game apiece.

RB Leipzig have played three games against English opponents in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

ℹ️ @c_nk97 only completed parts of the final training session ahead of #RBLMCI after feeling a muscle issue. Staff will observe how things develop over the next 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/sPjI8pWtCj

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 21, 2023

Manchester City have lost only one of their last 17 matches against German opponents in the UEFA Champions League and have scored a total of 44 goals in these matches.

Predicted Line-ups:

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

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

RBL vs MCI: Fantasy XI

Ederson; Gvardiol, Akanji, Dias; Rodri, B. Silva, Laimer,Nkunku,Werner; Grealish; Haaland.