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

European action is back on the agenda for both Real Madrid and Manchester City, as the Champions League reaches the quarter-final stage.

Date: 09/04/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu

Pep Guardiola’s side are the current holders of Europe’s premier competition after finally winning that elusive first title last season. They will feel they are in a good place to retain their crown as they travel to Madrid for the first leg of the last eight. Not only are they in the latter stages of the Champions League, they are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, as well as being right in the mix for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Real Madrid will feel just as confident as they are also battling on more than one front. As well as seeking a 15th title, they are on their way to another La Liga trophy. Los Blancos set up this tie with City by beating German side RB Leipzig in the Round of 16 2-1 on aggregate. They topped their group with six wins from six, highlighting how dominant they can be.

City progressed after comfortably putting aside FC Copenhagen in the last round, as they were victorious 6-2 on aggregate after a pair of 3-1 wins. They too finished first in their group with a 100% record, setting up a highly competitive couple of games.

Both sides offer incredible attacking threat, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham all on display. That is without mentioning Phil Foden, who bagged a hat-trick in the past week. Between Haaland, Foden and Julian Alvarez, the trio have scored 15 Champions League goals combined so far. Vinicius, Bellingham and Rodrygo have 10 between them, so there could be plenty of chances.

This will be the third consecutive season in which these two teams meet in the knockout stages of the competition. Last season, Man City beat them 5-1 on aggregate on their way to winning it, whilst Real Madrid were successful the year before en route to their triumph. In 22/23, City won 4-0 in the second leg to emphatically eliminate their rivals.

Manchester City

Kyle Walker is unlikely to make the first leg, though Pep Guardiola refused to fully rule him out. Nathan Ake will also be absent for at least two weeks.

Real Madrid

Prior to his return from a torn ACL, Thibaut Courtois suffered another knee injury in training which will keep him out for the season. David Alaba is also a long-term absentee. There should be no fresh injury concerns for Carlo Ancelotti.

Real Madrid

In their last five games, Real Madrid have won three and drawn two. It has been a strong stretch of form for Madrid, with them winning three in a row. This run started with a 2-2 draw with Valencia, in which they came back from a 2-0 deficit to salvage a point. Hugo Duro opened the scoring just before the half hour mark, and this lead was doubled only three minutes later by Roman Yaremchuk. Real got one back at the perfect time to go in the break with momentum, as Vinicius Junior found the back of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time. He then grabbed an equaliser with 15 minutes to go.

Their focus shifted to Champions League action, as they advanced to the quarter-finals with a 1-1 draw to win 2-1 on aggregate against German side RB Leipzig. Vinicius broke the deadlock in the second half, but they were pegged back almost immediately by Willi Orban. The visitors could not find another goal to take it to extra-time.

This preceded a big 4-0 win in La Liga, as they put aside Celta Vigo with ease. Vinicius scored once more and this was added to by a pair of own goals and a further strike from Arda Guler. Another high scoring game followed in which they won 4-2 at Osasuna. Vinicius’ opener was quickly cancelled out by Ante Budimir, but Dani Carvajal restored the lead. The Brazilian and Brahim Diaz tacked on two more before Iker Munoz scored a consolation. Their most recent game was a 2-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in which Rodrygo scored a brace.

Man City

In their last five games, Man City have won three and drawn two. Their most recent was a trip to 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 strike. De Bruyne scored his second to make it three after Rico Lewis put City ahead, and Erling Haaland scored the fourth. Palace scored a late consolation through Odsonne Edouard.

This followed a dominant 4-1 victory at home to fourth place Aston Villa. The visitors were missing Ollie Watkins, but City and in particular Phil 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, with the shared points putting Liverpool in the driving seat for the trophy. They dominated possession with 73% possession, with 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.

Another chance at a trophy is still alive as they advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win against Newcastle. It was a straightforward tie for the hosts, with the Magpies’ threat non-existent. Bernardo Silva’s first half brace was enough to progress. Their first game in this run was a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in what was a highly contested match. They will have been frustrated to not return home with all three points given they had taken the lad through John Stones. Liverpool managed to get back on level terms in the second half from the penalty spot, which was converted by Alexis Mac Allister. Ederson was the culprit as he recklessly took down striker Darwin Nunez in the box.

There should not be much to split two of Europe’s elite this week. Real Madrid are potent in attack as are Man City, but in a huge European tie both may decide to play it more conservative. Expect City to go back home on level terms with the second leg to come at the Etihad a week later – Real Madrid 1-1 Man City

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Real Madrid vs Manchester City will be available to watch on TNT Sports 2.

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