MANCHESTER CITY will be bidding to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League when they welcome RB Leipzig to the Etihad for the second leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
The tie is delicately poised following last month's a 1-1 draw at the Red Bull Arena, as Josko Gvardiol headed in a 70th-minute goal to earn the German's a well deserved leveller.
Pep Guardiola's side were far from their purring best in the first leg but they have put themselves in a good position to reach the last-eight of Europe's elite club competition for what would be a sixth consecutive season.
Last time out, the Citizens maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal as they eked out a 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace.
As for RB Leipzig, they returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga on Saturday by making light work of Borussia Monchengladbach in a 3-0 cruise to victory.
When the Red Bulls visited this venue last season, they were on the wrong end of a 6-3 rout in a wild group-stage game, but it should be a close affair this time around.
Outright Betting
Manchester City, who are unbeaten in each of their last 22 Champions League matches at home, head into their latest Etihad encounter as lowly 4/11 (William Hill) favourites.
RB Leipzig have claimed top honours in each of their last two continental away matches but they face a tall order if they are to repeat the trick here, with Marco Rose's men massive 15/2 (Betfred) underdogs while another all square affair is an unfancied 17/4 (Bet 365).
Betting Angles
Manchester City are far too short to side with here at the above-mentioned price, however backing Erling Haaland to score on Tuesday night holds plenty of appeal at 10/11 (UniBet).
While the Citizens aren't currently playing with the consistency and swagger that we have become accustomed to, the same can't be said for Erling Haaland, who has taken the Premier League by storm.
The Scandinavian sharpshooter has slammed in a staggering 34 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions and currently leads the English top-flight's Golden Boot race with 28 strikes already this campaign.
That doesn't bode well for a RB Leipzig rearguard that have failed to file a clean sheet in five of their seven Champions League outings this season so far, not to mention their backline has been breached in 10 of their 12 Bundesliga away days this term to date.
It's also worth pointing out that the aforementioned Haaland has been the scourge of Leipzig in recent years, having struck six times across his previous five appearances against the side from Saxony
With that in mind, coupled with the fact that Haaland has scored in each of his two outings at the Etihad as a Man City player in the Champions League this season, backing the Norwegian ace to notch at a shade under even-money seems the most sensible option here.
Team news permitting, I'll also dip into the player card market and have a punt on RB Leipzig's Lukas Klostermann to pick up a card at 11/2 (UniBet).
The German defender started at right-back in the first leg and if Leipzig manager Marco Rose opts for the same selection here then Klostermann should have his hands full with Jack Grealish, who is regularly on the wrong end of some rough treatment from his direct opponents.
This UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig will be played on Mar 14, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs RB Leipzig prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
