Another chapter will be written in the RB Leipzig vs Manchester City H2H saga this week with the clubs meeting in the UEFA Champions League for the third season running. It’s a 21:00 kick-off local time at the Red Bull Arena with both sides looking to build on opening wins.
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RB Leipzig vs Manchester City H2H Record
There have been 4 previous meetings between the clubs.
- RB Leipzig Wins: 1
- Draws: 1
- Manchester City Wins: 2
This has been a colourful fixture over the past two seasons with some entertaining matches and lots of goals.
City have rattled in 15 goals in their 4 previous matches against the German side, although 13 of those did come at home with their 2 previous trips to the Red Bull Arena producing a draw and a defeat.
The most memorable previous meeting was a 6-3 City win at the Etihad Stadium in 2021. Most of the goalscorers that day have since left their respective clubs though, including new Chelsea signing Christopher Nkunku who scored a hat-trick for Leipzig in that game.
Last time out…
The sides met in the UEFA Champions League Last 16 last season. The 1st Leg was a tight affair which ended 1-1 in Leipzig with Josko Gvardiol scoring for the Germans against the club he has since joined.
However City ran riot in the 2nd Leg, hammering the Bundesliga side 7-0 in Manchester as they laid a real marker ahead of what would prove to be a successful run to their first Champions League crown. Erling Haaland was on fire that night, firing in a remarkable five goals.
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City H2H: Potential MVP
Given Erling Haaland’s stunning performance the last time the sides met, it’s safe to say there’ll be a few RB Leipzig defenders who’ll be having sleepless nights ahead of this match.
The Norwegian striker has 8 goals in 7 Premier League games so far this term, so he’s hardly struggling for form. However he’s yet to open his Champions League account for the new season.
When Haaland hit 🖐️ against Leipzig last season 🧨#UCL pic.twitter.com/nOnahly3hI
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 2, 2023
Erling Haaland’s record vs RB Leipzig is phenomenal. In 6 matches against them, he has scored 11 goals, netting 2 or more times in 4 of his 6 meetings with this opposition. That’s the most goals he has scored against an individual club.
Bayern Munich are the only club who Haaland has played more matches against in his career than RB Leipzig so he’s certainly familiar with the opposition. Haaland scored braces on each of his two Bundesliga trips to Leipzig as a Borussia Dortmund player.
RB Leipzig: Players in focus
Lukeba’s big test
20 year old Castello Lukeba joined RB Leipzig from Lyon this summer and the young centre-back will face his biggest test yet this week against Haaland.
Xavi Simons starting to shine
Xavi Simons’ career path has been unconventional with moves to PSV and PSG following his time in Barcelona, but the 20 year old looks to have found a happy home now with 3 goals already for new club RB Leipzig.
Blaswich targets redemption
Having conceded 7 against Manchester City earlier this year, RB Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich will be hoping for a quieter night.
Manchester City: Players in focus
Grealish to return to the starting lineup?
Injuries have hampered Jack Grealish in the early stages of this season but the England man should get his first Champions League minutes of the 2023/24 campaign here.
Irreplaceable Rodri
Rodri saw red in the recent Premier League game against Nottingham Forest and his influence was certainly missed as Man City slumped to a shock defeat at Molineux at the weekend.
Gvardiol returns to the Red Bull Arena
Josko Gvardiol was part of the RB Leipzig defence that collapsed against Haaland in the spring and he returns to his old ground here.
Final Prediction
The return of Rodri should ensure Manchester City are in better shape than they were at the weekend and Pep Guardiola will be demanding a response after back-to-back defeats including an EFL Cup loss at Newcastle last week.
Given Erling Haaland’s dominance of this opposition in the past, City will fancy their chances of making it two wins from two to start their Champions League defence.
We’re saying 3-1 to Manchester City with Haaland to score the first goal.
