Champions League: Man City vs. Lyon team news, possible starting XIs, TV channel

Manchester City vs. Lyon

• What: Champions League group F matchday one
• When: Wednesday 19 September
• Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Kick-off time: 8pm (all times UK)
• TV channel: BT Sport 3, coverage starts at 7.15pm

Manchester City are favourites to win the Champions League and will kick off their group F campaign against Lyon at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Premier League champions will have to face the French side without boss Pep Guardiola in the dugout. The Manchester Evening News reports that the Spaniard will watch from the stands due to a touchline suspension rolled over from last season.

City are expected to win the group that contains Lyon, Shakhtar Donetsk and 1899 Hoffenheim, but defender Aymeric Laporte says the French opponents will provide a tough start in matchday one.

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“I know some of the Lyon players from the French national team,” said Laporte. “Sometimes, I try to watch them play too. Lyon are strong. We’ll analyse them intently, but as I say, they are a team with great quality and [they’re] very strong, physically.

“They are used to competing at the highest level, as well. They are been there, among the top teams of the Ligue 1, for many years.”

Lyon signed Celtic striker Moussa Dembele during the summer transfer window. He is now available to play after making his debut at the weekend.

In the other group F game Shakhtar Donetsk host 1899 Hoffenheim (5.55pm).

Man City vs. Lyon team news

Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is a long-term absentee after sustaining a lateral collateral ligament lesion. Back-up goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is also unavailable due to an injured Achilles tendon.

City boss Guardiola could also be without striker Sergio Aguero (ankle knock) and full-back Benjamin Mendy, who missed the Fulham game on Saturday because of a knee issue.

The Daily Express reports that Fabian Delph is likely to continue at left-back should Mendy be ruled out.

While Moussa Dembele is available to play, fellow Lyon striker Amine Gouiri is out because of a ruptured cruciate ligament injury.

Predicted starting XIs

How the teams could line up at the Etihad, according to talkSPORT.

• Man City possible starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Delph, B. Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
• Lyon possible starting XI: Lopes, Rafael, Marcelo, Denayer, Tousart, Alvaro, Traore, Fekir, Terrier, Dembele

How to watch it on TV

The group F clash between Manchester City and Lyon will be shown live on BT Sport 3. Coverage starts at 7.15pm and kick-off is at 8pm. Shakhtar Donetsk vs. 1899 Hoffenheim will be shown live on BT Sport 1.

Champions League matchday one fixtures

Wednesday 19 September (all times UK, live on BT Sport)

• Group E: Ajax vs. AEK Athens (5.55pm); Benfica vs. Bayern Munich (8pm)
• Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. 1899 Hoffenheim (5.55pm); Manchester City vs. Lyon (8pm)
• Group G: Real Madrid vs. Roma (8pm); Viktoria Plzen vs. CSKA Moscow (8pm)
• Group H: Valencia vs. Juventus (8pm); Young Boys vs. Manchester United (8pm)