UEFA Champions League Preview: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

April 17, 2024

As anticipation builds, Manchester City and Real Madrid prepare to clash once more in their Champions League quarter-final return leg at the Etihad on Wednesday night.

Last week's showdown at the Bernabeu lived up to its billing and more, with both European powerhouses delivering a scintillating 3-3 thriller. The stakes are high, as the victorious team on Wednesday will advance to face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

Matches between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Spanish capital consistently deliver on the pre-game hype, and the first leg was no exception. An electrifying opening 15 minutes saw Rodrygo's precise strike and a Ruben Dias own goal nullify Bernardo Silva's impressive free kick.

The momentum swung back and forth, with Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol adding to the excitement with stunning goals. Yet, Carlo Ancelotti's men had a surprise in store - a moment of brilliance from Federico Valverde, whose exquisite volley sealed a breathtaking six-goal spectacle.

Manchester City Betting Preview (-167 at Everygame)

In their last two Premier League games, Manchester City have witnessed an impressive six goals each time, securing victories over Crystal Palace with a 4-2 comeback triumph at Selhurst Park as well as a convincing 5-1 home win against relegation-threatened Luton Town last weekend. And the weekend only got better from there.

The smiles on the faces of City's players were likely still intact on Sunday, especially with both title contenders Arsenal and Liverpool suffering unexpected home defeats. The treble winners now have a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings. Despite the optimism of some pessimistic fans, City knows the lead is far from impossible.

Since their loss to Aston Villa in December, Pep Guardiola's side has remained unbeaten in 27 matches across all competitions. This week, they have more than just a semi-final spot at stake. Progression would also see them equal a club-record 42-game unbeaten streak at home, a remarkable feat dating back to 1921.

For the weekend's clash against Luton, City enjoyed a quadruple fitness boost, with Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Phil Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne all making the squad. With these key players likely to be fit for the return fixture against Real Madrid, City's only concern revolves around John Stones, who missed the Luton game due to a minor injury. However, Guardiola assured that Stones' absence was precautionary.

With virtually all players available, Guardiola may recall Rodri, Silva, and Foden for the upcoming fixture after they rested during the weekend's match - a testament to City's depth and strength at a crucial juncture during yet another challenging campaign.

Real Madrid Betting Preview (+400 at Everygame)

Rarely do 14-time European champions Real Madrid find themselves in the role of clear underdogs, as they do in this encounter. Despite their hard-fought 1-0 win over Mallorca at the weekend, with manager Carlo Ancelotti able to rotate the squad, this match poses a significant challenge. Real Madrid have won just one of their last seven head-to-head clashes with City (losing four).

It's been a while since Manchester City faced defeat at the Etihad Stadium, dating back to November 2022, just before the Qatar World Cup. However, Real Madrid, under Ancelotti's guidance, boasts a knack for staging remarkable Champions League comebacks against their Sky Blue adversaries.

Although Real Madrid's track record in overturning first-leg deficits outside of victories is modest, with only two successes in their last ten attempts, both against Manchester United in 1999-00 and 2012-13, the Etihad Stadium presents a different challenge. Their history against the Red Devils' neighbors, especially considering their 4-0 defeat last year, suggests a challenging task ahead.

Last week's nail-biting encounter, culminating in Valverde's thunderous volley, kept Los Blancos unscathed in the 2023-24 Champions League. Their impeccable away record, winning all four current edition games by a slim margin, underscores their resilience on foreign turf.

Tchouameni's lone strike steered Real Madrid to a 1-0 victory over Mallorca in the weekend's La Liga fixture. With seven matches to go, Real Madrid maintains a comfortable eight-point cushion over rivals Barcelona atop the table.

While Real Madrid's unbeaten run may not match their hosts', their 15-game streak without defeat commands respect. Moreover, their Champions League pedigree adds weight to their challenge in Manchester.

Unlike their opponents, Real Madrid continues to grapple with long-term injuries to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and former Bayern Munich man David Alaba, who are still recuperating on the sidelines. However, there's a glimmer of hope as Eder Militao gradually returns to match fitness, having made a late appearance in the weekend's victory over Mallorca.

With Tchouameni suspended due to accumulating his third yellow card of the Champions League campaign, Militao could step in, although his lack of recent game time might hinder his chances. Therefore, club captain Nacho Fernandez is likely to partner Antonio Rudiger in central defense. At the same time, Eduardo Camavinga, who made an impact with his strike deflected into the net by Dias in the previous match, is expected to feature prominently in midfield once again.

Possible Starting Lineups of Manchester City and Real Madrid

Manchester City: Ederson - Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol - Rodri - Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish - Erling Haaland. (4-1-4-1)

Real Madrid: Andriy Lunin - Ferland Mendy, Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal - Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde - Jude Bellingham - Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo. (4-3-1-2)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Confidence runs high for Manchester City, especially after their commanding 4-0 victory over Los Blancos in last season's semi-finals. Another win would not only see them match their club record of 42 consecutive home matches undefeated, a feat achieved between 1919 and 1921. Additionally, they are eyeing the opportunity to join AC Milan as the only team to eliminate Real Madrid from the European Cup/Champions League in consecutive seasons.

Five or more goals were scored in each of City's last four matches across all competitions - since the goalless draw with Arsenal a few weeks ago.

In the past five encounters between Man City and Real Madrid, 23 goals have been scored, averaging 4.6 goals per game. With both teams boasting fully-fit attacking lineups, another captivating showdown is expected.

While a repeat of Guardiola's side's four-goal rout nearly 12 months ago seems unlikely, City's dominance at home, albeit with some defensive vulnerabilities, suggests they are poised to continue their quest for consecutive continental triumphs.

Moreover, Real Madrid's track record against Manchester City in England is less than stellar, with the Spanish champions losing each of their last three fixtures on English soil.

This could spell familiar disappointment for Real Madrid, as City looks solid enough to maintain its winning momentum and compound Los Blancos' sense of Mancunian misery. However, I always appreciate the Spanish giants, especially in this competition!

Could a back-to-back treble be on the cards? Another victory against Real Madrid would make a massive statement for Pep Guardiola's men.

Spooky Express Free Play: 1X and Over 2.5 Goals -125 at Everygame for 7/10 Units

Spooky Express Free Play 2: Vinicius Jr. Anytime Goalscorer +300 at Everygame for 3/10 Units

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