The highly anticipated match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in the qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League is set to take place on November 6 at 3:00 AM. Predictions for the match lean towards a close contest, with an expected scoreline of 2-1 in favor of Manchester City.
This season, Manchester City has been in strong form, suffering just one defeat in their last ten competitive matches, which includes seven victories and two draws. Under the management of Pep Guardiola, they have climbed to second place in the Premier League, just six points behind leaders Arsenal with 19 points.
Stellar performances from striker Erling Haaland, who has netted 17 goals since the season’s kickoff, have been pivotal to Manchester City’s success. However, this heavy reliance on Haaland presents its own challenges; if he is effectively contained, City often struggles to find the back of the net, a situation that has arisen on multiple occasions this season. Guardiola now faces the challenge of finding an attacking partner for Haaland to bolster their offensive capabilities.
Despite continuing their habit of playing a controlled attacking style, City’s offensive impact seems to have diminished compared to previous seasons. They return to the Champions League sitting in ninth place with seven points, and with an extra match to play compared to many teams above them, there remains potential for improvement in their standings.
On the other hand, Dortmund has been making waves in the Champions League with a notable series of good performances, currently positioned eighth with seven points. Their recent results include a high-scoring 4-4 draw against Juventus and a 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, followed by a 4-2 win against Copenhagen, marking a historic achievement for the team as they became the first to score four goals in three consecutive games at the start of this prestigious tournament.
However, it is anticipated that Dortmund’s prolific scoring might face a stern test when they visit the Etihad Stadium for their fourth group match. Historically, Dortmund has only won once in their last five encounters against Manchester City, with three losses and one draw, although they are certainly capable of springing surprises, as demonstrated in their run to the final in the 2023/24 season.
In terms of player availability, Dortmund will miss Julien Duranville, with Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle also doubtful due to health issues. Manchester City, meanwhile, will be without Mateo Kovacic due to an ankle injury, but with a talented squad, they remain a formidable opponent for the Germans.
Projected line-ups for the match are as follows: Manchester City (4-2-3-1) with Donnarumma in goal, supported by Gvardiol, Dias, Stones, and Nunes in defense; a midfield duo of Gonzalez and Silva; and an attacking trio of Doku, Foden, and Cherki, spearheaded by Haaland. Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1) will likely feature Kobel as goalkeeper, with Anton, Schlotterbeck, and Bensbaini in defense; a midfield comprising Couto, Nmecha, Bellingham, and Svensson; and a forward line of Beier and Brandt behind Guirassy.
As the two teams prepare to clash, fans can expect an exciting matchup, with both sides eager to secure crucial points in the Champions League standings.