Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions: Citizens to close in on knockout spot
Gareth Freeman
Man City have 10 points from a possible 12 in the Champions League.
City have conceded in three of their last five home games across all competitions.
Recommended bet: Man City to win and both teams to score
Manchester City were eliminated in the play-off round of the Champions League last season, but they are on course to secure a top-eight spot and an automatic place in the last 16 this year.
City have dropped just two points after four rounds of league phase fixtures and a victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday would see them strengthen their hold on a top-eight place.
Leverkusen did claim their first league phase win at Benfica in the last round of European games but have struggled against Europe's elite teams this term, losing 3-0 to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and 7-2 to defending champions PSG in the Champions League.
The latest Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
The Citizens will definitely be without Mateo Kovacic due to an ankle injury, while fellow midfielder Rodri is expected to miss out again due to a hamstring issue.
Boss Pep Guardiola could be tempted to make a few changes to his team after defeat to Newcastle over the weekend, with Tijjani Reijnders and John Stones among those pushing for recalls.
Equi Fernandez, Axel Tape and Exequiel Palacios remain sidelined for Leverkusen and Lucas Vazquez and Arthur are rated as doubts.
Ibrahim Maza was withdrawn at half-time in the win over Wolfsburg at the weekend, but that may have been a precautionary measure with one eye on this European game.
Robert Andrich and Edmond Tapsoba are both suspended for the visitors, while Claudio Echeverri is on loan at Bayer from City but is available to face his parent club in Europe, although he will probably have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
The stats
Manchester City have won seven consecutive home games in all competitions, but have conceded in five of their last six games (W4, L2).
Bayer Leverkusen have scored in 16 of their 17 games this season in all competitions and have found the net in all of their Champions League games, hitting six goals in total.
The latest Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
City have been close to perfect in Europe this season with three wins and a draw in four games and should be expected to beat Leverkusen fairly comfortably, but they may concede in the process.
The visitors are dealing with a number of injury and suspension issues ahead of this game and they look particularly stretched in midfield.
They have struggled against Europe's best sides this season, with defeats to PSG and Bayern, but they rarely draw a blank.
Leverkusen have failed to score in just one of their 17 games across all competitions and they are facing a City side who have shown vulnerabilities at the back recently – keeping just one clean sheet in their last six overall and conceding in three of their last five at home.
Both teams look capable of scoring, but with home advantage and a virtually fully-fit squad to select from, City should still be able to claim maximum points and continue their push to avoid a play-off tie.
Back Man City to win and both teams to score at 11/8 with LiveScore Bet
