The Matchday 5 fixture of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Manchester City (England) and Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) will take place on November 25 at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's side defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-1 at home in the previous round. In this season's Champions League, Manchester City has secured three victories and one draw in four matches, scoring at least two goals in each game. However, it's worth noting that the English side has failed to keep a clean sheet in 9 of their last 11 Champions League encounters. In the group stage standings, Manchester City is fourth with ten points. It's also noteworthy that the club has lost only one of their last 24 European matches against German teams (19 wins, 4 draws).
- The team has won 16 of their last 20 home matches in the Champions League.
- At least four goals have been scored in 5 of their last 6 home games in this European competition.
- The English side has scored at least twice in their last six home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Manchester City (4-5-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Mateus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O'Reilly – Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki – Erling Haaland.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is out due to injury. Midfielder Rodri is also doubtful due to an injury.
Bayer Leverkusen
In the previous round, Kasper Hjulmand's team defeated Benfica 1-0 away. As a result, Bayer ended their winless streak in the Champions League, which lasted five matches (2 draws, 3 losses). In this tournament, the team has scored in all four matches, but this was the first time they kept a clean sheet. Leverkusen is 21st in the group stage standings with five points. Notably, Bayer has won only one of their last 12 away matches against English opponents in European competitions (3 draws, 8 losses).
- The club has not won 8 of their last 10 away matches in the Champions League (3 draws, 5 losses).
- Exactly 3 or 4 goals have been scored in 6 of their last 8 away games in this European competition.
- Leverkusen has not scored more than once in 5 of their last 6 away Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3)
Mark Flekken – Loic Bade, Jarell Quansah, Axel Tuanzebe – Alejandro Grimaldo, Aleix Garcia, Ibrahim Maza, Arthur – Jonas Hofmann, Patrik Schick, Ernest Poku.
Defender Lucas Vazquez, along with midfielders Ezequiel Fernandez and Exequiel Palacios, are out due to injuries. Defender Edmond Tapsoba and midfielder Robert Andrich are suspended.
Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Match Prediction
Pep Guardiola's side is known for their attacking style, particularly at home. In their last 20 home matches in the Champions League, Manchester City has only failed to break through the opposition's defense once, scoring at least three times in 14 of those games. However, they are not always flawless at the back, conceding in 7 of their last 10 home games in this European competition.
Bayer Leverkusen is also known for their attacking approach and tries to spend as much time as possible on the offensive. With this style, even away from home, the club scores regularly: in their last eight away Champions League matches, Leverkusen has only failed to score twice, netting 11 goals in total during this period. However, their defense is not as reliable: they have conceded a total of 12 goals in their last six away matches and have kept a clean sheet only once.
I anticipate both teams finding the net in this encounter, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
