On Wednesday, November 6th, Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League League Phase will feature two high-stakes games. The main event is the match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund (BVB), two of Europe's biggest teams, at Etihad. At the same time, Newcastle United plays Athletic Club at St. James' Park in a very important game that could put them in the top eight. We give a full preview that includes the current UCL standings, recent form, important player news, and tactical predictions for both of these important European matches.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund Preview

Match Details

• Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase (Matchday 4)
• Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2025
• Kick-off Time: 8:00 PM UTC
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Team Form & Champions League Standings

Manchester City

Manchester City has calmly gone about their continental business, sitting level on points with their opponents. They are 7th in the league-phase standings with 7 points from three matches, having secured two wins (against Napoli and Villarreal) and one draw (against Monaco). They have won each of their last 11 competitive home matches against German teams.

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund sits just above City, 6th in the standings with 7 points from three matches, thanks to a marginally superior goal difference. Their recent Champions League form is exceptional, scoring four goals in both of their last two European games. They secured a 1-0 Bundesliga win over Augsburg recently, marking their seventh clean sheet in 14 games.

Head-to-Head History & Key Stats

• Overall Edge: City holds the overall bragging rights with 3 victories to Dortmund's 1, with 2 draws, in their 6 previous competitive meetings.
• City's Home Record: Manchester City has never been beaten by Dortmund on their own patch.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Manchester City Absentees

Pep Guardiola has received a major boost, with his squad at near-full strength.

• Injured/Out: Midfielder Mateo Kovačić (long-term ankle injury).
• Key Players: Rodri and Erling Haaland are fully available after featuring in the weekend victory over Bournemouth. Bernardo Silva is one yellow card away from a suspension.

Borussia Dortmund Absentees

Dortmund will see the return of several key defensive players.

• Injured/Out: Julien Duranville (injury).
• Key Returns: Centre-backs Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle are expected to return to the squad after missing the Augsburg fixture.
• Key Player: Serhou Guirassy leads the attack after ending a five-game goal drought against Augsburg.

Predicted Starting XIs

• Manchester City Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Cancelo; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland.
• Borussia Dortmund Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Schlotterbeck, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy.

Key Tactical Matchups

1. Haaland vs Former Club: The match will inevitably center on Erling Haaland, who faces his former club where he scored 86 goals in 89 games. He has scored in all five of City's home games this season.
2. Dortmund’s High Scoring vs City’s Solidity: Dortmund's astonishing scoring feats (four goals in every UCL game) will test City's defense, which has conceded only six goals in three UCL outings.

Newcastle United vs Athletic Club Match Preview

Match Details

• Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2025
• Match Starting Time: 8:00 PM UTC
• Location: St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne

Team Form & Champions League Standings

Newcastle United

Newcastle is doing very well in Europe, having earned six points from their last two European games, which puts them just inside the automatic last-16 spots. In their last 33 European home games, the Magpies have won 22 of them.

• Current UCL Standing: Top 8 (6 points in 3 games).
• Recent UCL Results: 4-0 win over Union SG and a 3-0 success over Benfica.
• Key Stat: Anthony Gordon has been transformative, scoring four times in three Champions League outings.

Athletic Club

Athletic Club is struggling for consistency, having taken a heavy defeat against Real Sociedad in the Basque derby domestically. The Spanish side sits in the elimination bracket.

• Current UCL Standing: 21st (3 points from 3 games).
• Recent UCL Results: Ended a five-match European winless streak with a 3-1 win over Qarabağ.
• Key Stat: Athletic has won only one of their ten all-time away games against English clubs in Europe (D1, L8).

Head-to-Head History & Key Stats

• Historical Edge: Athletic Club advanced from their only prior competitive meeting on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
• UCL History: This marks the first time the two clubs have met in the Champions League.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Newcastle Absentees

Newcastle is dealing with fitness concerns but should field a strong XI.

• Injured/Out: Yoane Wissa (Injury).
• Doubtful: Anthony Gordon and Nico Williams (potential absences).
• Key Players: Nick Woltemade will be looking to add to his tally.

Athletic Club Absentees

Athletic has a lengthy list of absentees for the trip to Tyneside.

• Injured/Out: Iñaki Williams (serious abductor injury, out until 2026), Unai Egiluz, Inigo Lekue.
• Suspended: Yeray Alvarez (suspended until February for a doping violation).
• Key Player: Nico Williams will be the primary wide threat.

Predicted Starting XIs

• Newcastle Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Thiaw, Burn; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Elanga, Woltemade, Murphy.
• Athletic Club Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; Gorosabel, Paredes, Laporte, Berchiche; Rego, Jauregizar; N. Williams, Sancet, Navarro; Guruzeta.

Key Tactical Matchups

1. Gordon's Directness vs Bilbao's Vulnerability: Anthony Gordon's direct play and composure will test Athletic's defense, which has shown vulnerability to this European campaign.
2. Midfield Engine: The influential Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) will look to control the tempo against Athletic's pressing triggers and direct style.

Current Betting Odds via Stake.com & Bonus Offers

Odds retrieved for informational purposes.

Match Winner Odds (1X2)

Value Picks and Best Bets

• Man City vs Dortmund: Given Haaland's incredible scoring form against his former club and Dortmund's own high goal count in Europe, backing Over 3.5 Goals is the favored selection.
• Newcastle vs Athletic Club: Given Newcastle's strong home form in Europe and Athletic's long list of absentees, Newcastle to Win to Nil offers strong value.

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Prediction & Conclusion

Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund Prediction

This is a battle of two in-form sides, but Manchester City’s exceptional home record against German clubs and the unstoppable form of Erling Haaland (17 club goals this season) should prove decisive. While Dortmund will be a threat, City will edge the high-scoring affair.

• Final Score Prediction: Manchester City 3 - 2 Borussia Dortmund

Newcastle United vs. Athletic Club Prediction

Newcastle is driven by their electric home atmosphere and superior recent European form. Athletic Club's long list of key injuries, including Iñaki Williams, coupled with their poor historical record on English soil (one win in ten visits), makes this a tough ask. Newcastle should comfortably secure a third straight European victory.

• Final Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2 - 0 Athletic Club

Who will Win the Clash?

These results from Matchday 4 will have a big impact on the final standings of the Champions League League Phase. If either Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund wins, they will stay in the top seven and almost certainly qualify for the Round of 16. A win for Newcastle United would be very important because it would guarantee them a spot in the top 16 teams and keep them running for automatic qualification. On the other hand, a loss would make it very hard for Athletic Club to qualify.