Match Preview – Form Guide – Betting Prediction
The opening leg of Manchester City’s UCL Semifinal matchup against Real Madrid takes place at the Etihad Stadium.
For the past decade, the EPL title favourites have been a consistent force. Despite their Champions League misfortunes, they are a recurring UCL favourite for a reason.
They face the unstoppable Los Blancos, who just need one more point from the rest of the season to clinch the league title.
Real Madrid are also in excellent shape, with Karim Benzema, their striker, presently the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or this season.
Furthermore, the Spaniards have a grudge towards this team, as they were defeated in the Quarterfinals by them in the last CL edition two years ago.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head Guide
| Manchester City | vs | Real Madrid |
| 2 | Wins | 2 |
| 7 | Goals | 7 |
| 2 | Draw | 2 |
Manchester City
Manchester City are yet to concede a goal at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League since they lost 2-1 to Lyon in September 2018.
This season, they have scored 13 goals in five home matches and won both legs of their Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon ties without conceding a single goal.
Defensive absentees will undoubtedly put pressure on Guardiola’s record when they play Real Madrid putting into consideration Karim Benzema’s goal scoring form. He will be gingered by the chance to knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League again. Moreover, he is more desperate than ever to bring the European title to the blue side of Manchester.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid were on the verge of elimination after a phenomenal Chelsea comeback from a 3-1 first-leg loss at Stamford Bridge. However, they were able to pull through after a spirited performance by their captain, Karim Benzema which was similar to their performance against Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the tournament where they were forced to overcome a 1-0 deficit.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Team News
While all players with one or two yellow cards have had their sanctions removed, City will be without Joao Cancelo for the opening leg after the Portuguese received his third warning of the campaign.
Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Riyad Mahrez are all expected to return to the first team this week, but Gabriel Jesus has given Guardiola enough to think about by scoring four goals on Saturday in response to reports of him being surplus to requirement and needing to seek a move away from the Etihad Stadium.
While Real Madrid have no suspension concerns for the first leg due to Eder Militao’s return from a suspension he served in the home loss to Chelsea, Ancelotti’s injury fears are growing after David Alaba was pulled off against Osasuna with a thigh problem.
Luka Modric was well rested in the win over Osasuna, and he’ll be back in midfield alongside Toni Kroos. Marcelo should be well enough to fill in for Mendy at left-back if necessary.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Predictions
This season, City has gone undefeated at home in the Champions League, winning four of five games.
Real Madrid were taken to extra time by Chelsea in the quarter-finals, but they bounced back with wins over Sevilla and Osasuna after their 3-2 setback to the Blues.
With the present form of both teams it is very difficult to predict an outright winner of the game. However, considering how prolific both teams are in attack and the absence of key defensive players on both sides our prediction is Both Teams to Score: Yes
Match Odds
Manchester City to win 1.53
Real Madrid to win 4.70
Draw holds a whopping 6.52
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