Manchester City - Bayer Leverkusen prediction, H2H and probable line-ups - 25 November 2025
One of the fights of the 5th round of the Champions League general stage will take place on Tuesday at the Etihad Arena in Manchester, where local Manchester City will take on German Bayer Leverkusen. We offer a bet on this confrontation with good chances of passing.
Preview of the match
‘Citizens’ continue to alternate impressive performances in the Champions League with localised failures in the APL. After a painful defeat to Newcastle in the league, the team will be looking to rehabilitate themselves in the European Cup, where they have confidently picked up 10 points from four games.
At home, City remain a winning machine: the team have not lost in their last 23 group/all competitions at the Etihad, winning 20 of them. The home side's attack is in good order, with the team scoring at least twice in their last seven home games. Despite personnel losses in the centre of the pitch, Manchester City continue to create plenty of chances, with Haaland scoring in each of their last five Champions League matches.
After a difficult start to the Euro season, Bayer revitalised under Kasper Hulmand, picking up their first win against Benfica and continuing their success in the Bundesliga. The team are now showing great form, winning seven of their last nine matches in all competitions. A win at the Etihad could be the club's 50th Champions League victory in their history, adding to the intrigue.
However, Leverkusen have serious squad problems: suspensions, injuries and a lack of depth in the centre of the pitch could play a crucial role. Even despite a prolific attack that has scored 16 goals in the last six meetings, there is not much chance of success against one of the main tournament favourites. Especially since for Bayer it will be the first ever trip to Manchester for the match against City.
Probable line-ups
- Manchester City: Donnarumma; Lewis, Stones, Guardiola, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Savinho, Reynders, Foden, Doku; Holland.
- Bayer Leverkusen: Flecken; Belossian, Bade, Kuansah; Tella, Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick
Match Facts and Head-to-heads
- Manchester City has not lost at home in Champions League matches since 2018 - a series of 23 games.
- Bayer has won 7 of their last 9 matches in all competitions.
- This will be the first ever official match between these teams.
Prediction
The form and motivation of the guests inspire respect, but personnel losses and the level of the opponent away create too big a gap in class. ‘City’ rarely spares its opponents at home and is likely to again demonstrate an attacking style with plenty of chances. We bet on ‘Manchester City win with handicap (-1.5)’ at odds of 1.69.