Bayer Leverkusen will look to build on their impressive victory over Benfica earlier this month when they resume their UEFA Champions League campaign at Manchester City on Tuesday (kick-off: 9pm CET).
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Pep Guardiola’s City look a formidable force this season - particularly in front of their own fans - but having claimed their first European win of the campaign against José Mourinho’s side, Die Werkself will be confident of upsetting the odds at the Etihad Stadium.
Like their opponents, Kasper Hjulmand’s charges go into the game in fine form. Indeed, only Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and reigning European champions Paris St-Germain have got the better of Leverkusen since their opening-day defeat at home to Hoffenheim.
Watch: Wolfsburg 1-3 Leverkusen - highlights
Saturday’s victory in Wolfsburg means they have won nine of their 14 matches under Hjulmand, who has faced Guardiola only once before as a coach - a 2-1 home defeat to Bayern during his spell as Mainz boss in 2014/15.
The Dane will have to make do without Ezequiel Fernández in Manchester as the midfielder continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury, while Exequiel Palacios remains sidelined with a groin problem.
Tuesday’s clash will likely come too soon for Lucas Vázquez, who has been out since late October with a muscle issue, but newly minted England international defender Jarell Quansah is in line for a starting recall after dropping to the bench in Wolfsburg. Robert Andrich could revert to a holding midfield role as a result.
City loanee Claudio Echeverri might have to content himself with a place on the bench, however, with USA international Malik Tillmann and midfielder Jonas Hofmann impressing once again with goals against the Wolves. Young Algerian midfielder Ibrahim Maza is also enjoying a run in the side.
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As for City, they fell to third place in the Premier League table after a three-game winning streak in all competitions ended in a 2-1 loss at Newcastle United on Saturday.
One of three teams yet to lose in the league phase this season, Guardiola’s charges laid down a marker with a 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund last time out - a result which ended BVB’s unbeaten European start.
Victory over Leverkusen would stretch the Cityzens’ winning home run in all competitions to seven games. Former Dortmund goal-machine Erling Haaland - who is currently on 19 this term - has scored at least once in each of those victories.
Watch: Haaland's Bundesliga best bits
Other than midfielder Mateo Kovačić, who is currently sidelined with a heel issue, Guardiola should have a full squad to choose from against the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions - although there are still question marks over Rodri’s availability.
The Spain international has missed City’s last three games with a hamstring problem and faces a race against time to be fit for Tuesday.
Man City-owned Claudio Echeverri has featured in all four of Leverkusen's Champions League fixtures in 2025/26. - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Marcel von Fehrn
Match stats
Leverkusen have lost only three of their last 20 UEFA competition group/league matches (W12, D5).
Victory for Bayer would be their 50th in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history.
None of Leverkusen’s last 27 UEFA competition matches have finished goalless.
Die Werkself’s last away victory in England was a 1-0 success against Tottenham in the 2016/17 Champions League group stage.
Haaland has scored 10 goals in his nine UEFA Champions League appearances against German teams.
This is Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game in charge of City.
Probable teams
Manchester City: Donnarumma - Nunes, Días, Gvardiol, O’Reilly - Silva (c), González - Cherki, Foden, Doku - Haaland
Out: Kovačić (heel)
Doubtful: Rodri (ankle)
Coach: Pep Guardiola
Leverkusen: Flekken - Quansah, Badé, Tapsoba - Arthur, Andrich (c), García, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Tillman - Schick
Out: Fernández (knee), Palacios (groin), Vázquez (muscular)
Doubtful: Tape (thigh)
Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
LIVE blog
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#### City in hunter modeCity are unbeaten in Europe this season and fourth in the current league-phase table, after beating Napoli, Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund whilst drawing with Monaco. Domestically, Pep Guardiola's side occupy third place in the English Premier League, their 2-1 loss to Newcastle United at the weekend leaving them seven points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal after 12 games.
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#### Up and running in EuropePatrik Schick scored the only goal at José Mourinho's Benfica last time out to propel Leverkusen back into contention to reach the knockout rounds. It was Bayer's first Champions League triumph of the season after draws with Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven and a heavy 7-2 defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
© PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA
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#### Wolfsburg 1-3 Leverkusen - highlightsLeverkusen travel to Manchester on the back of an impressive result away to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. USA international Malik Tillman was among the scorers as Bayer recorded their seventh win in nine league games under Kasper Hjulmand (D1, L1). Die Werkself are now up to third in a congested top-four race, eight points behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.#### Welcome!
Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Bayer Leverkusen's Champions League encounter away at Manchester City on Matchday 5 of the league phase, which kicks off at 9pm CET on Tuesday.