Erling Haaland has scored 12 goals in eight appearances against RB Leipzig. At this point, the Germans must be wondering whether they’ve done something to personally offend him.

The Norwegian returns to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night with Manchester City desperate to rediscover their form after a difficult fortnight under Enzo Maresca.

City have lost consecutive Premier League matches for the first time this season, surrendering top spot to Arsenal following defeats against Aston Villa and Brighton.

Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to the Seagulls was particularly frustrating. Just three days after surviving a Carabao Cup encounter against the same opposition on penalties, City failed to score and were punished by Yasin Ayari’s early winner.

Their Champions League campaign has been considerably more encouraging.

City have collected six points from their opening three fixtures, beating Porto 2-0 and AEK Athens 5-1 either side of a 4-2 defeat against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Leipzig, meanwhile, have endured a difficult return to Europe’s elite competition.

Martin Demichelis, who spent three years playing under Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City, has overseen just one Champions League victory in three attempts. His side suffered identical 4-1 defeats against Como and Real Madrid, with a narrow 1-0 win over PSV their only success.

However, the Germans have responded impressively on the domestic front.

Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Schalke was Leipzig’s third consecutive win across all competitions, a run that has produced eight goals and just one conceded.

They have also won all five of their home matches under Demichelis, making Wednesday’s encounter a considerably more difficult assignment than the European standings might suggest.

There is history between these clubs, too. City have won four of their six previous meetings, including a remarkable 7-0 victory in March 2023 when Haaland scored five times.

Leipzig have had their moments, most notably a 2-1 home victory in December 2021, but their recent record against English opposition is poor.

With City looking vulnerable defensively and Leipzig beginning to find some momentum, another entertaining encounter could be on the cards.

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What are the best betting tips for RB Leipzig vs Manchester City?

Manchester City to win and both teams to score

Manchester City’s recent performances have been unconvincing, but their attacking quality should give them the edge against a Leipzig side that has struggled against elite opposition.

The Germans have conceded eight goals in their three Champions League matches, including four apiece against Como and Real Madrid. Their recent domestic improvement is encouraging, although the quality of opposition has been considerably lower.

City have scored nine goals in three European fixtures, with their 5-1 demolition of AEK Athens demonstrating the damage they can inflict when their attack clicks.

However, Maresca’s side have conceded in each of their last five matches across all competitions. Leipzig’s pace on the counterattack should cause problems, but I expect City to have enough quality to secure the victory.

Over 3.5 goals

These two clubs have a habit of producing ridiculous scorelines whenever they meet.

Their six previous encounters have generated 30 goals, an average of five per match. That includes City’s 7-0 victory in 2023, a 6-3 win in 2021 and a dramatic 3-2 comeback at the Etihad Stadium.

The defensive numbers suggest another high-scoring encounter is possible. Leipzig have conceded eight goals in three Champions League matches, while City have shipped 12 across their last six fixtures in all competitions.

Leipzig have scored eight times in their last three matches, and their attacking players should find opportunities against City’s unsettled defence.

Both teams possess enough attacking quality to contribute to an open contest. Over 3.5 goals is a more ambitious selection, but the recent defensive records and head-to-head history make it appealing.

Erling Haaland to score two or more goals

Some players enjoy facing particular opponents, and then there’s Erling Haaland against RB Leipzig.

The Manchester City striker has scored 12 goals in eight appearances against the German club, more than against any other opponent in his career.

His most memorable performance came in March 2023, when he scored five goals in City’s 7-0 Champions League victory. Leipzig’s defenders will be painfully familiar with his ability to attack crosses, exploit space and punish even the smallest mistake.

Haaland has scored four goals in three Champions League appearances this season, registering 14 shots and seven efforts on target.

Leipzig have already conceded four goals against both Como and Real Madrid in Europe. With City desperate for a response after consecutive league defeats, I’m backing Haaland to enjoy another productive evening against his favourite opponents.

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How to watch RB Leipzig vs Manchester City

Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Kick-off: 8pm GMT (9pm local time)

Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany

Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase Matchday 4

United Kingdom: TNT Sports / discovery+ (check final channel allocation).

United States: Paramount+, with Spanish-language coverage subject to broadcaster listings.

Canada: DAZN.

RB Leipzig predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-3-3

Predicted XI: Vandevoordt; Baku, Orbán, Lukeba, Raum; Banzuzi, El Aynaoui, Baumgartner; Gruda, Rômulo, Nusa.

Martin Demichelis is expected to be without Assan Ouédraogo, who remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Marc Guiu is also unavailable because of a muscle problem.

Maxime Estève is doubtful after missing Saturday’s victory against Schalke with a knock. Christopher Nkunku was an unused substitute in that match and could return to the starting lineup if deemed fit enough.

Antonio Nusa is expected to retain his place on the left after scoring five goals this season. Brajan Gruda should provide an attacking threat from the opposite flank, with Rômulo leading the line.

Christoph Baumgartner could return to midfield alongside Neil El Aynaoui and Ezechiel Banzuzi, while Willi Orbán and Castello Lukeba are expected to form the central defensive partnership.

Manchester City predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández; Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Jérémy Doku; Erling Haaland.

Enzo Maresca has relatively few injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Germany. Antoine Semenyo remains the only confirmed absentee, with the winger expected to be sidelined until December because of a knee injury.

Phil Foden is pushing for a return to the starting lineup after scoring a hat-trick against AEK Athens in City’s previous Champions League fixture.

Rayan Cherki could also be recalled after City’s disappointing attacking performance against Brighton, while Jérémy Doku offers pace and direct running on the left.

Marc Guéhi is another candidate to return, potentially partnering Rúben Dias in central defence. Nico O’Reilly could replace Joško Gvardiol at left-back, with Matheus Nunes occupying the opposite flank.

Haaland is expected to lead the attack as City look to bounce back from consecutive Premier League defeats.

RB Leipzig vs Manchester City stats

• Manchester City have collected six points from their opening three Champions League matches.
• RB Leipzig have three points from three European fixtures.
• City sit 10th in the 36-team league table, while Leipzig are 29th.
• Manchester City have scored nine goals and conceded five in the Champions League.
• Leipzig have scored three goals and conceded eight in their opening three European matches.
• City defeated Porto 2-0 and AEK Athens 5-1, but lost 4-2 against Paris Saint-Germain.
• Leipzig lost 4-1 against both Como and Real Madrid, either side of a 1-0 victory over PSV.
• Leipzig have won their last three matches across all competitions, scoring eight goals and conceding just once.
• Manchester City have lost consecutive Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and Brighton.
• City have conceded in each of their last five matches across all competitions.
• The Citizens have conceded 12 goals in their last six matches.
• Manchester City have won four of their six previous meetings with RB Leipzig.
• Those six encounters have produced 30 goals, averaging five per match.
• Erling Haaland has scored 12 goals in eight appearances against Leipzig.
• Haaland scored five times in City’s 7-0 Champions League victory over Leipzig in March 2023.
• Leipzig have lost their last five UEFA matches against English opposition.
• Manchester City have won 21 of their 32 Champions League matches against German clubs.

RB Leipzig vs Manchester City prediction

Manchester City’s recent form has raised legitimate concerns, particularly after consecutive Premier League defeats exposed weaknesses at both ends of the pitch.

Maresca’s side have struggled defensively, and their failure to score against Brighton demonstrated that even their formidable attacking options are not immune to an off day.

However, Leipzig’s Champions League performances have been equally concerning.

The Germans have conceded four goals against both Como and Real Madrid, suggesting their defensive structure remains vulnerable when facing opponents with genuine attacking quality.

City certainly possess that.

Haaland’s extraordinary record against Leipzig is impossible to ignore, while the potential returns of Foden and Cherki should provide greater creativity behind the Norwegian.

Leipzig will fancy their chances of scoring, particularly with Antonio Nusa and Brajan Gruda capable of exploiting space on the counterattack.

Demichelis has also overseen five consecutive home victories, and the Germans will approach this encounter with renewed confidence following three straight wins.

Nevertheless, City should be capable of exploiting Leipzig’s defensive weaknesses, especially if Haaland receives the service he needs.

I expect an entertaining match with chances at both ends, but the visitors’ superior attacking quality should ultimately prove decisive.

Score prediction: RB Leipzig 1-3 Manchester City

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