Man City vs RB Leipzig: Guardiola confident of Group G top finish

Premier League champions Manchester City host Bundesliga side RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday in a battle for a top finish in Group G in their Champions League group.

Both sides have already booked their spot in round 16, but the top spot is yet to be decided, with Man City currently topping with three points clear of second-placed Leipzig.

The Red Bulls are in fifth place in the Bundesliga standings and have yet to hit their stride this season. They slumped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of VfL Wolfsburg over the weekend and will need to work hard to bounce back in this match.

City, on the other hand, are in second place in the Premier League table and have been impressive this season. The Citizens were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool in their previous game and will need to take it up a notch this week.

The Citizens have won all four of their Group G fixtures to sit at the summit on 12 points, and a win or a draw at home to Leipzig on Tuesday would see them secure first position in the group ahead of their final game away to Red Star Belgrade next month.

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Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s cracker, Man City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasised the relevance of his team locking down top spot in their Champions League group.

“We have to win or draw,” said Guardiola.

“The first step is done for both sides so congratulations to RB Leipzig for qualifying for the next round in February.

“It is important to finish first. We believe that when we play the last 16, [having] the second leg at home is not decisive but an advantage, and we have to take it.”

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Avoiding defeat will do the job and eliminate the potential danger of City finishing second and facing another group’s winner in the last-16 stage.

Man City have a good record against RB Leipzig and have won three out of the five matches played between the two teams,

RB Leipzig have lost each of their last four matches away from home against teams from England in the UEFA Champions League and have conceded a total of 20 goals in these games.