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A damning guilty verdict means Manchester City have been navigating adversity and turmoil for the past month, yet they had performed without compromise on the pitch until their unbeaten Premier League start was suddenly brought to an end.
One domestic loss quickly became two for the Citizens, who followed their 2–1 defeat at Aston Villa by falling at home to an impressive Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend (they did at least eliminate the Seagulls on penalties to advance to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals in between).
There was certainly an element of bad luck surrounding Saturday's defeat, with Brighton forced to defend deep for much of the match and heavily dependent on a superb goalkeeping display from Bart Verbruggen.
Now, Enzo Maresca's side have the opportunity to make up for squandered xG against an opponent they've frequently dominated since the two clubs first met in 2021.
Here's how Man City could line up against Leipzig.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. RB Leipzig
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—Donnarumma has endured a rather underwhelming start to 2026–27, and he could soon face pressure from Gerónimo Rulli if his struggles between the sticks continue.
RB: Abdukodir Khusanov—A stern test awaits whoever Maresca selects at right back, with Leipzig's left winger Antonio Nusa arriving in outstanding form. Erling Haaland's international teammate has registered 10 goal contributions in eight Bundesliga outings this season.
CB: Rúben Dias—Dias will wear the captain's armband in Leipzig on what will be his 71st appearance in this competition.
CB: Marc Guéhi—Guéhi was rested at the weekend following another difficult outing at Villa Park, but the defender hasn't been dropped entirely. Expect the Englishman to return to the starting eleven here.
LB: Nico O'Reilly—The time has come for O'Reilly to reclaim a more prominent role, with the attacking left back stepping in to replace Joško Gvardiol, who could face his former club from the bench.
CM: Elliot Anderson—More game time for Anderson, who continues to make a strong impression in City's midfield engine room.
Pick Your Man City XI!
CM: Ayyoub Bouaddi—The manager's deployment of the young Moroccan at the weekend drew criticism from former Egypt striker Mohamed Aboutrika, who remarked that playing Bouaddi higher up the pitch "is like playing [Lionel] Messi in goal." Perhaps Maresca will take that advice on board during the week.
RW: Phil Foden—Allan continues to look below the required standard, so if Maresca wants to hand one of his wingers an opportunity in Antoine Semenyo's absence, he could turn to Foden, who shone on the right in last week's Carabao Cup win over the Seagulls.
AM: Rayan Cherki—Maresca arguably should have started Cherki on Saturday, though the Frenchman did feature for most of the second half. Regardless, he will almost certainly find himself back in the starting lineup in Saxony.
LW: Jérémy Doku—Doku will be relieved to leave Brighton's Costinha behind, having been relentlessly tracked by the defender at the weekend. The winger played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, so a back-to-back start seems unlikely.
ST: Erling Haaland—Haaland has fond memories against Leipzig from his time at Borussia Dortmund, and the hosts are likely still haunted by the Norwegian's five-goal performance in the second leg of their round of 16 clash three years ago.