RB Leipzig vs Manchester City: Rodri return sets up City 18/1 Bet Builder

• Metronomic Rodri adding goals to his game

• Simons 23/103.30 to put on a show for admiring Pep

• Bet Builder value available through Alvarez

RB Leipzig v Manchester City
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on TNT Sports 1

Key man Rodri offers major goal threat

In June Rodri scored arguably the biggest goal in Manchester City's history, the winner in the Champions League final against Inter; in September he repeated the feat, scoring in a 3-1 win over Red Star. In fact, three of the Spaniard's last five goals for City have come in the Champions League and, back from his Premier League ban, I'm backing him to score again.

Rodri is arguably the most important cog in Pep Guardiola's system and his three match domestic ban is providing him a rare opportunity to rest. Guardiola has seen his side lose their last two games and has a top of the table clash with Arsenal on Sunday so will be desperate to get back on track. With the likes of Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku providing a consistent attacking threat in open play Rodri is something a little bit different.

While his teammates are all about getting into the box and cutting the ball back to a colleague the majority of Rodri's goals come from one of two ways - either a shot from just outside the area or a header from a set piece. Leipzig have kept three clean sheets this season, but I wouldn't expect them to add to that tally on Wednesday night, and I'm backing Rodri to score in the Champions League again at 8/19.00.

Former Barca youngster can star infront of Pep

RB Leipzig have become something of a Champions League stalwart over the last few years, the jewel in the Red Bull stable have had a number of talented youngsters in their side and that is the same again this season.

Slovenian Benjamin Sesko arrived in the summer from Red Bull Salzburg and has scored five times already, one more than fellow summer arrival Lois Openda but arguably the star of the show is PSG-loanee Xavi Simons, somebody Pep Guardiola holds in high regard.

The City boss has reportedly tried to sign the 20 year old Dutch international multiple times but PSG have always rebuffed those advances. Simons has been a key part of Marco Rose's side who have scored at least two goals in all but one game this season, picking up three goals and four assists.

City have conceded in six of their last seven games and Simons is 23/103.30 to add to his growing collection of goals and assists at the Red Bull Arena.

City front two create Bet Builder threat

Under Guardiola there has been something of a revolving door of wide attackers and the departure of Riyad Mahrez for Saudi Arabia in the summer created space for World Cup winner Julian Alvarez to hold down a more regular starting role.

The 23-year-old has been excellent and has formed an intimidating partnership with Erling Haaland with the Norwegian setting up Alvarez in the Red Star victory.

With Haaland drawing a significant amount of defensive attention his Argentine teammate is able to operate in the space created, offering a good amount of Bet Builder value. I'm backing Alvarez to score or assist, Rodri to score anytime and Manchester City to win in a Bet Builder priced @ 18/119.00.