According to Foot-Africa’s probable line-ups, Neil El Aynaoui and Ezekiel Banzuzi are set to form Leipzig’s midfield duo against Manchester City on Wednesday, with Ayyoub Bouaddi also expected to feature in the English side.
The Red Bull Arena hosts a fourth-round league phase Champions League fixture this Wednesday, 4 November (21:00): RB Leipzig welcome Manchester City. A few hours before kick-off, Foot-Africa published its probable line-ups, which include several African players.
In midfield, Neil El Aynaoui, a Morocco international playing for Leipzig, and Ezekiel Banzuzi, a DR Congo international, are expected to be paired in the German engine room. On the English side, Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is tipped to start alongside Elliot Anderson. These are only projections, not official line-ups.
An African duo in midfield
The Leipzig XI projected by Foot-Africa is built around Vandevoordt in goal, behind a defence made up of Baku, Orbán, Lukeba and Raum. In midfield, El Aynaoui and Banzuzi would form the pivot, with Baumgartner alongside them.
Ahead of them, Gruda, Rômulo and Nusa would complete the attacking set-up. The two African players would therefore be paired at the heart of the German side’s play.
Bouaddi alongside Anderson
In the opposite camp, Manchester City’s probable line-up has Donnarumma in goal and a defence made up of Khusanov, Marc Guéhi, Rúben Dias and Gvardiol. In midfield, Anderson and Bouaddi would be paired.
Ahead of them, Foden, Cherki and Doku would support Haaland up front. Bouaddi, City’s Moroccan midfielder, would therefore be thrown into a European meeting against his compatriot El Aynaoui, who plays for Leipzig. These XIs are, however, only a Foot-Africa projection ahead of the match.
Contrasting form
After three matchdays, Manchester City have six points and sit 12th in the league phase table, while Leipzig have three points and lie 28th, according to Foot-Africa. The English side have won four of their six previous European meetings with the German club.
City come into the game on the back of two consecutive league defeats, but two Champions League wins, against Porto (2-0) and AEK Athens (5-1).