Man City vs AEK Athens: TV channel, predicted lineups and Haaland latest

Manchester City host AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Erling Haaland’s availability the main selection question after Antoine Semenyo was ruled out for around eight weeks.

Enzo Maresca has said Haaland could feature following his injury scare against Ipswich, but the striker still needs to come through City’s preparations. Semenyo’s knee injury removes another attacking option.

City are looking to respond to their 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain. Both they and AEK have won one and lost one in the league phase.

What time is Man City vs AEK Athens?

The match takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 20 October, with kick-off at 8pm BST.

It is the clubs’ first meeting. AEK arrive as Greek champions under Marko Nikolić.

How to watch Man City vs AEK Athens

The game will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with streaming through TNT Sports on HBO Max.

City’s official match guide also confirms live audio commentary on CITY+, alongside text updates through the club website and app.

Team news: will Haaland play?

Haaland remains a possibility rather than a confirmed starter.

“He can be available,” Maresca said in City’s latest injury update, with training set to help determine whether the Norwegian can take part.

Semenyo is out after scans revealed the extent of his knee injury. Maresca was more encouraging about the other players who caused concern against Ipswich, including Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovačić.

City made six changes for Saturday’s league game. Elliot Anderson, Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernández, Joško Gvardiol and Abdukodir Khusanov were among those moved to the bench, giving Maresca options to refresh his starting side again.

AEK goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha is unavailable, according to Greek broadcaster Novasports’ latest preparation report. Alberto Brignoli is the projected replacement.

Predicted line-ups

These are editorial predictions, not confirmed teams. The City selection assumes Haaland passes his fitness assessment.

Manchester City, 4-2-3-1: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernández; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland.

Our forecast brings several of Saturday’s substitutes back into the side. If Haaland is unavailable or rested, Foden could move into the central attacking role, with Bouaddi coming into midfield and Fernández playing further forward.

AEK Athens, 4-4-2: Brignoli; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilo; Majer, Kairinen, Marin, Vitalis; Varga, Jović.

That AEK projection follows the personnel identified in the latest match preview, with Varga and Jović providing the main attacking threat.

Dave’s verdict

City should have enough quality to win, but the Haaland decision changes how we expect them to attack. With him available, the service into the penalty area becomes central. Without him, Foden’s movement would ask different questions of AEK’s centre-backs.

After conceding four against PSG, City also need a more controlled European performance. Winning while reducing the visitors’ chances would be the most convincing response.