Predicted Starting XI: RB Leipzig vs Manchester City (UEFA Champions League)

Predicted Starting XI: RB Leipzig vs Manchester City (UEFA Champions League) The shades of dark green that coloured Brighton & Hove Albion's two visits to the Etihad Stadium last week have dampened Manchester City's dazzling start to their domestic campaign, as Enzo Maresca finds himself in the midst of his first rough patch as Blues boss. After forcing Manchester City to a penalty shootout win following a 2-2 draw last Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup fourth round, the Seagulls ran out 0-1 victors on Manchester soil in the weekend's repeat fixture as an act of revenge. Yasin Ayari took his golden chance just 11 minutes in as Maxim De Cuyper's sweep back across the face of the goal from a Matheus Nunes error was enough to bamboozle Gianluigi Donnarumma in the sticks, before the Swede gratefully accepted an open net. It was an early mountain to overcome for the Blues, who made it their mission to spark something of a comeback against a shrewdly set up and resolute Brighton & Hove Albion back line. Jeremy Doku's wide drives caused worry for Costinha down the left hand side, with his flashes of brilliance amounting to desolate groans around the Etihad Stadium with no goalscoring output to match. An Erling Haaland chance just before half-time on top of a string of contentious handball shouts left much to be desired after the break for Manchester City . Changes to the front line came with Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki adding inspiration, along with Nico O'Reilly's return to the forefront looked to provide a change of pace for the Citizens, who could not beat a defiant Jason Steele in goal. Former Manchester City defender and Premier League winner Martin Demichelis sees his first encounter with the Blues since his departure in 2016, as his RB Leipzig side play host to an anticipated fixture under the UEFA Champions League lights. The Argentine himself made 15 Champions League appearances in Sky Blue under the guidance of former City manager Manuel Pellegrini, pairing alongside legendary club captain Vincent Kompany against European giants such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich . City's acquaintance with RB Leipzig spans back to September 2021, when a match of superlatives saw goals from Jack Grealish and Joao Cancelo, powering the Blues to a 6-3 win on home soil. Now, Manchester City have a new point to prove. Having regained their European stride in a 5-1 dispatching of AEK Athens at the Etihad two weeks ago, a trip to Saxony could provide the perfect acid test to determine whether the side's form can be rebuilt. With a fully-fit squad apart from Antoine Semenyo expected, Enzo Maresca has the luxury of building a team at his liking as the Italian coach gets to grips with what his best squad consists of. Here is how we think Maresca's men in Manchester City sky blue will line-up in Leipzig! Predicted XI Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to keep his place in goal. Despite a disappointing loss in the Brighton & Hove Albion game on Saturday, the Italian international made a couple of crucial saves to prove he can still be the man to rely on. Right-back was a widely disputed position among City fans this time last year, however since then it has transformed into a fixed spot on the team sheet for Matheus Nunes , who has grown into a manager's dream in arguably modern football's most important position. Ruben Dias finds himself in a huge position as Manchester City's captain in a rocky moment. We think the Portugal international can prove his worth as the team's leader as the Blues look for a way back to a green form sheet. Marc Guehi was left out of the first 11 on Saturday after a string of difficult performances, however the Englishman possesses a huge amount of quality both with and without the ball. Guehi could come back into his own against Leipzig. With Josko Gvardiol having taken the spot as a left-back across the last few matchdays, Nico O'Reilly will be itching to burst back into contention after a standout season. We think the academy graduate will start on Wednesday night. The RB Leipzig test provides a real trial for City's midfield, and Enzo Maresca could opt for any combination in Germany. Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi are two players that have proved their worth as operators in the middle and could combine well as a unit. Rayan Cherki  has shown the world he can reach into his ever-expanding box of tricks at any moment, and there is no better player to look to in the hope of unlocking a defence. The Frenchman may start this Wednesday's match as an attacking support option. Iliman Ndiaye offers something entirely distinctive in his new found right-wing position. The former Everton playmaker's first goal in Sky Blue looms as he relentlessly creates chances for his teammates. Erling Haaland 's UEFA Champions League goalscoring record is nothing short of spectacular. With 61 goals in 60 appearances, it is impossible to look beyond the Norwegian up-front, especially with his love for netting against German opposition. Since returning from injury, Jeremy Doku  has continued to make his bones as one of Manchester City's top performers, and the man a lot of Blues look towards to rip past world class defences. Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O'Reilly; Bouaddi, Anderson, Cherki; Ndiaye, Haaland, Doku. Substitutes: Rulli, Lewis, Reis, Khusanov, Ait-Nouri, Gvardiol, Fernandez, Kovacic, McAidoo, Foden, Allan.