For the Wednesday round of UEFA Champions League group stage fixtures, one matchup stands out above the rest- Borussia Dortmund at Manchester City. It’s the only real all-big club matchup this Wednesday, and with that in mind, the headliner match for that evening’s slate. City, not really needing any additional advantage given the immense strength that they possess, got extra rest for this one.
As you no doubt heard, the Premier League was off last weekend due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. That means City will have four more days than Dortmund to prepare for this one. Got to be a bit of a boost for the defending English champions.
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund FYIs
Kick: Wed. Sept 14, 8pm, Etihad Stadium
Competition: UCL Group E, Matchday 2 of 6
WATCH: Click the banners in this post to access the live stream
Starting XI Predictions: Man City Borussia Dortmund
Team News: Man City Borussia Dortmund
After Extra Time Podcast: Spotify Apple
Google Result Probability: Man City 81% Borussia Dortmund 11% Draw 12%
UCL Group Standings: Man City: 1st, 3pts Borussia Dortmund 2nd, 3pts
Team News
Pep Guardiola still has some selection issues in the back to contend with. Defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones are both dealing with minor muscular injuries, and thus still working their way back to full fitness. The pair might miss out on this clash and/or the weekend Premier League fixture too. It’s all touch and go with them right now.
Finally, Aymeric Laporte is still sidelined for another month or so (after undergoing knee surgery over the summer)
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.