Man City line-up vs Bayer Leverkusen predicted as Savinho starts and defensive change made

Manchester City face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night aiming to bounce back from defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League last time out.

Manchester City resume their Champions League campaign tonight with Bayer Leverkusen the visitors to the Etihad. City are unbeaten in Europe and sit fourth in the League Phase table with 10 points from four games.

Leverkusen are the second German side to make the journey to Manchester in as many matchdays after Pep Guardiola's side disposed of Borussia Dortmund last time out. That victory made it two from two on home soil in Europe and City and Guardiola are keen to stretch that perfect record and move a step closer to a top eight spot and a straight passage into the last 16.

But Leverkusen will be tough opponents having recovered from an awful start domestically to find form. They sit third in the Bundesliga and 21st in the Champions League table with ambitions of ensuring a spot in the top 24.

Guardiola will likely shuffle his pack given the tight turnaround from Saturday's Premier League defeat to Newcastle United as the Blues aim to bounce back. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal and first choice pairing Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol look set to continue in the centre of defence.

Matheus Nunes acquitted himself well against Newcastle but John Stones has been utilised often in Europe and could come in at right back. Nico O'Reilly can continue on the left. Nico Gonzalez is a certain starter in the middle of midfield with Rodri still sidelined and Tijjani Reijnders can come in alongside him. Guardiola has played with a narrow three behind striker Erling Haaland in recent weeks and Phil Foden, although quieter against Newcastle, has looked at home in that role.

Rayan Cherki has also found form and consistency, while Jeremy Doku has had a largely impressive season so far. The temptation would be for both to start but with a busy schedule on the horizon, Guardiola could turn to Savinho - who started against Dortmund - with Doku potentially dropping out.

The likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis will be keen for minutes having featured sparsely in recent weeks. All four might have to be content with a place on the bench on Tuesday night.

Predicted City XI: Donnarumma; Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gonzalez, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Savinho; Haaland