Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Champions League is back on the agenda for both Manchester City and Real Madrid as they take each other on in the second leg of the quarter-finals.

Date: 17/04/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Etihad Stadium

This quarter-final tie is perfectly poised, as the 3-3 draw between these two sides last week in the Bernabeu sets up an exciting match on Wednesday night. It was a back and forth game, in which both teams held a lead. Bernardo Silva was the game’s first scorer, as he sneakily converted from a free-kick after Aurelien Tchouameni recklessly took down Jack Grealish. The game was tied just 10 minutes later as Ruben Dias converted into his own net from an Eduardo Camavinga strike, wrong-footing the keeper. Another deflected shot put Los Blancos in front, with Rodrygo’s finish dribbling past Stefan Ortega in goal. Phil Foden’s excellent season continued with an equaliser, in which he found the top left hand corner with a sweet strike from his left boot. Josko Gvardiol followed suit from his right to restore the City lead, but Federico Valverde netted a stunner of his own with a right-footed volley to level the score for a final time.

Pep Guardiola’s side have a fantastic record at home, in the Champions League this season they have won all four games at the Etihad, scoring three goals in each. Carlo Ancelotti’s defence may have a hard time keeping them at bay, despite Real’s strong defensive prowess this season. However, City have kept just one clean sheet during this European campaign, and will likely give the visitors plenty of opportunities to get on the scoresheet.

Real Madrid will be desperate to avoid the same fate they suffered in last season’s competition. They took on City in the semi-finals, and after drawing the first leg 1-1 at home, they were crushed 4-0 at the Etihad to bow out of the tournament in devastating fashion. Vinicius Jr and Kevin De Bruyne got the goals in the first leg, but a brace from Bernardo Silva and further strikes by Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez completed the rout. They have played four knockout ties since 2015/16, and Man City have won the home leg on three of these occasions. Madrid are yet to taste victory at the Etihad.

Man City

John Stones was absent at the weekend, but the hope is that he will return for this game. Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake returned to the bench at the weekend. Pep Guardiola has no new injury concerns.

Real Madrid

Aurelien Tchouameni will be suspended after picking up a yellow card in the first leg. Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba are out for the season.

Man City

In their last five games, Man City have won three and drawn two. Their most recent was a home game against Luton, in which they won 5-1. Daiki Hashioka converted into his own net to open the scoring, before Mateo Kovacic scored his first Premier League goal for the club with a fine half-volley. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol completed the scoring whilst Ross Barkley netted a consolation for the visitors. It marked a return to Premier League action following their trip to the Bernabeu in midweek for their first leg quarter-final tie at Real Madrid. It was a thrilling contest as the two sides drew 3-3 setting up for an exciting second leg. City took the lead through an early Bernardo Silva free-kick, but the Spanish giants turned it around just 12 minutes later through a Ruben Dias own goal and Rodrygo deflected strike. Phil Foden scored a sublime goal to get his side back on level terms, before another stunning goal from Gvardiol put them in front once more. The tie goes back to Manchester level after Federico Valverde added another to the catalogue of fine strikes from this game.

This followed an away game at Crystal Palace in which they picked up a huge three points in the title race. In the 4-2 victory, they went behind very early to a Jean-Philippe Mateta strike, but Kevin De Bruyne answered with a stunning effort. De Bruyne scored his second to make it three after Rico Lewis put City ahead, and Haaland scored the fourth. Palace scored a late consolation through Odsonne Edouard.

Before this was a dominant 4-1 victory at home to fourth place Aston Villa. The visitors were missing Ollie Watkins, but City and in particular Foden tormented their defence. The Englishman scored a hat-trick after Rodri’s opener was cancelled out by Jhon Duran. It was a good response to being held to a 0-0 draw at home to fellow title challengers Arsenal. They dominated possession with 73% and 12 attempts, though had just one on target. With 700 passes, they out passed their opponents by over 400, but they disappointingly could not find a breakthrough.

Real Madrid

In their last five games, Real Madrid have won four and drawn one. It has been a strong stretch of form for Madrid, with them winning three league games in a row before an incredible 3-3 home draw in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Manchester City. They had to come from behind twice to not go back to Manchester behind in the tie. An own goal from Ruben Dias restored parity shortly after Bernardo Silva’s opener, before Rodrygo put them ahead just two minutes later. Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol flipped the game on its head once more, but Federico Valverde salvaged a draw.

This run began with a big 4-0 win in La Liga, as they put aside Celta Vigo with ease. Vinicius opened the scoring, before a pair of own goals and another strike from Arda Guler secured the dominant victory. Another high scoring game came after in which they won 4-2 at Osasuna. Vinicius broke the deadlock, but this was quickly cancelled out by Ante Budimir. Dani Carvajal then restored the lead, with Vinicius scoring another and Brahim Diaz finding the net to tack on two more. Iker Munoz scored a consolation for the hosts. They recorded another win as they beat Athletic Bilbao in which Rodrygo scored a brace, to make it three consecutive victories.

Their most recent game was a trip to Mallorca, in which they narrowly won 1-0, as Aurelien Tchouameni scored just after the restart to secure all three points, and take them a step closer to the La Liga title.

The absence of the away goals rule means this tie is finely poised heading into the second leg. History suggests it is very difficult to bet against the firepower of Real Madrid, however, the strength of Man City at home and the form they are in means we expect them to get the job done and advance to the semi-finals – Man City 2-1 Real Madrid

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Where to Watch

Man City vs Real Madrid will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1.

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