Manchester City vs Bayern Munich preview, team news, predicted line-ups: Will Tuchel’s England return haunt Guardiola?

As the Champions League returns, all eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium when Manchester City host Bayern Munich for the first leg of the quarter-final.

Although both sides have somewhat struggled on the domestic fronts, they are seen as favourites to win the coveted club trophy.

In what promises to be a classic Champions League night, fans are expected to be treated to ultimate football drama and entertainment.

Meanwhile, City head into the competition after a 4-1 win over Southampton. In all competitions, the Citizens have eight wins in a row.

However, in their minds, they hope to avenge their 1-0 Champions League final defeat to Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

On the other hand, the Bavarians returned to the summit of the Bundesliga after a 1-0 win over Freiburg, who had knocked them out of the DFB-Pokal.

Bayern have had a real test in the Bundesliga race, especially when Borussia Dortmund dethroned them from the top spot a few weeks ago. They had to act, which they did by firing Julian Nagelsmann and falling back on Tuchel.

They got on track to defend the league crown when Tuchel masterminded a 4-2 win over his former club.

Team News

Phil Foden, who just had appendix removal surgery, is certainly not going to be available for Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard is likely to maintain the squad that gave him the win over Southampton, and that means Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones will form the defensive unit.

Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, and Kevin De Bruyne will marshal the midfield, with Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish operating along the flanks.

Erling Haaland, who scored his Premier League’s 30th goal in spectacular manner - is certainly going to lead the attacking mission once again.

A knee injury made Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting unavailable for the Freiburg match, and he remains a doubt for the Etihad duel.

Dayot Upamecano was ruled out for accumulation of cards but will be available for Tuchel to call him upon. Yann Sommer is expected to keep the Bayern gloves with Manuel Neuer a long-term absentee.

Joao Cancelo will have to fight for a starting position with Benjamin Pavard – a reported Manchester United target – if he has to face his former side.

What are the stats saying?

Manchester City have won two of their three Champions League home games against Bayern Munich, with their sole setback coming against Guardiola’s side in 2013.

Following a streak of four defeats away from home against English opponents in the Champions League, Bayern Munich have lost only two of their previous ten such games.

Haaland scored five goals in seven meetings with Bayern as a Dortmund player, but ended up on the losing team in all of them.

Tuchel has won his last two meetings with Guardiola in cup competition. His only knockout game defeat to the former Bayern coach was on penalties in the 2015/16 DFB Cup final.

Predicted line-ups:

Manchester City: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Stones, Rodri, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland.

Bayern Munich:  Sommer, Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Coman, Muller, Musiala, Mane.