Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund preview

• Featured image credit: Martin Rickett, PA Media.

Tonight (5 November) Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium.

City and Dortmund currently sit level on points in the league table after three games respectively. For both sides the ultimate aim is automatic qualification to the Round of 16, so a top eight finish is needed. Domestically, both clubs also find themselves in relatively similar positions, with Dortmund sitting 3rd in the Bundesliga and Manchester City in 2nd in the Premier League.

This is the seventh time the teams have met in the Champions League with the last meeting in October 2022 ending in a 0-0 draw.

For Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland, tonight will see him yet again facing his old club. Haaland is currently City’s top goal scorer, with 17 goals in 13 games. Haaland will certainly be a cause for concern for Dortmund’s defence. Dortmund’s back line has been patchy this season, conceding three to St Pauli in the Bundesliga and four to Napoli in the Champions League. That being said, Dortmund have only conceded six in total in the league so it will certainly be a tough test for Haaland and City’s wingers.

Manchester City’s defence will also be tested tonight by Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, the joint top goal scorer in last season’s Champions League. On the wing for Dortmund is Karim Adeymeni, a skilful dribbler and a key danger man for Dortmund tonight.

Guardiola’s injury problems are starting to disappear with the return of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri over the weekend. City’s starting eleven tonight is expected too look similar to the game against Bournemouth last weekend, however Guardiola will have one eye already on the clash against Liverpool on Sunday.

Dias and Gvardiol are still the preferred centre back partnership and even with the return of Ait-Nouri, Nico O’Reilly is expected to keep his spot after another stunning performance in the league. Nico Gonzalez will most likely start CDM, with Bernardo Silva in midfield alongside him.

At the top of the pitch, Doku has been the most consistent starter for City and, after making his return from injury and supplying two assists on the weekend, City fans will be hoping to see Rayan Cherki in the starting line-up.

Game information:

Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Date: Wednesday 5 November 2025

Kick-off time: 8pm GMT

Referee: Szymon Marciniak