The Champions League quarter-finals will throw out a real heavyweight clash on Tuesday. We look ahead to the first leg of this UEFA Champions League quarter final at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester with our Man City vs Bayern prediction and preview.
The hosts will be buoyed following their 4-1 dismantling of Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend, especially as Erling Haaland returned from injury to score two more goals in what has been a record-breaking campaign for the Norwegian striker.
But Bayern Munich love this competition historically and come into this clash under new coach Thomas Tuchel, who is targeting more success against City. The German has won three of his five meetings against the Manchester club, including a famous 1-0 victory in the Champions League final with Chelsea back in 2021.
Manchester City vs Bayern Munich Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Manchester City and Bayern Munich are on an even footing as far their head-to-head record is concerned. They have won three games apiece out of the six matches that they have played in the UEFA Champions League.
- Manchester City have won two of their three home games against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, with their only such defeat coming against Pep Guardiola’s side in 2013.
- After a run of four defeats away from home against English opponents in the UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich have lost only two of their last 10 such matches in the competition.
- Pep Guardiola has won 39 out of his 72 knock-out games as a manager in the UEFA Champions League – the best win percentage of any manager that has been involved in at least 30 games in the competition.
> Manchester City vs Bayern Munich historical statistics
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Guardiola will be able to call upon a near-fully fit Man City squad for this clash, with Phil Foden the only absentee as he recovers from having his appendix removed.
The City manager has not tinkered with his lineup much in recent weeks, and it could remain largely unchanged from the side that beat Southampton.
Bernardo Silva may come in for Riyad Mahrez after the Portuguese midfielder played 90 minutes in both legs against Leipzig in the last round.
The back three should remain unchanged, meaning no place for Aymeric Laporte again, while John Stones continues to excel in a midfield role, being preferred to Kalvin Phillips.
Tuchel will take his Bayern side to Manchester without a fit natural centre forward, as Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is set to miss out with a knee problem.
Serge Gnabry was used in a central role for the win over Freiburg, but Thomas Muller has also played in that position in the past.
With Leon Goretzka expected to come back into the side after being rested against Freiburg, Jamal Musiala may move further forward with Muller being utilised up top.
Sadio Mane’s struggles may see him replaced on the left-hand side by Kingsley Coman, who scored the all-important winning goal away in Paris in their last 16 first leg.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Akanji, Ruben Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Pavard, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich, Sane, Musiala, Coman; Muller
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Bayern Munich
> Manchester City vs Bayern Munich Live broadcast listings (TV, live streaming)
