Riding on the crest of their new lead in the Premier League title race, Manchester City eagerly anticipate advancing towards a potential second consecutive European championship as they prepare to host Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Under Pep Guardiola's guidance, Manchester City orchestrated an exhilarating, seesaw 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu in the previous leg, experiencing both the ecstasy of leading and the challenge of seeing those leads slip away. Nonetheless, they secured a favorable scoreline for the crucial rematch.
Challenging Manchester City's path to the semifinals is none other than the illustrious Real Madrid, the most successful club in European history. Real Madrid is unlikely to bow out quietly from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage, and if the first leg is anything to go by, the Etihad Stadium is in store for another electrifying 90 minutes of top-tier football.
Despite Guardiola's side recently securing a late advantage in the Premier League standings, positioning themselves for a potential fourth consecutive domestic title, they also have their eyes set on reclaiming the European crown. This possibility ignites the imagination of fans, who dare to dream of an unprecedented two-year reign of dominance.
Man City vs Real Madrid odds
In the showdown between Manchester City and Real Madrid, the odds heavily favor Manchester City to advance to the semifinals, despite the level aggregate scoreline. This confidence stems from their strong recent form and their impressive attacking prowess.
It's worth noting that despite the six-goal spectacle in the first leg, the total goals expectation remains somewhat restrained compared to other Champions League matches this week. The over/under for total goals is still set at over 2.5, with odds at -165. This figure is considered average by today's standards for most games involving these teams in domestic competitions.
Man City vs Real Madrid prediction
Choosing between these two European powerhouses feels almost sacrilegious, but with the first leg ending in a thrilling draw, it's unlikely we'll see a repeat of that level scoreline. Interestingly, this was only the second draw between these clubs since 2016, spanning eight encounters. During that period, the home team emerged victorious in five out of the six other matches. Therefore, siding with the resurgent Manchester City seems like the prudent choice. Pep Guardiola's squad has experienced fluctuations in form over recent months but managed to remain in contention for the Premier League title while also navigating through the challenges of the Champions League. Their recent commanding victory over Luton Town propelled them to the summit of the Premier League table, indicating a resurgence at a crucial juncture. Having Kyle Walker back to contend with Vinicius Jr will undoubtedly be crucial for Manchester City. With his defensive prowess, they stand a better chance of neutralizing Real Madrid's attacking threat. Despite Real Madrid's historical pedigree, they appear vulnerable due to squad depth issues. Manchester City should ultimately prevail against a Real Madrid side that appears thin and flawed. However, Carlo Ancelotti's managerial acumen may keep Real Madrid competitive for a significant portion of the match. Man City vs Real Madrid match facts
The first-leg draw between Manchester City and Real Madrid marked the end of Manchester City's remarkable 10-game winning streak in the Champions League, which stood as the second-longest in the competition's current format. However, their astonishing 21-game unbeaten streak remains intact, with their last defeat in UCL play occurring against Real Madrid in extra time of their 2022 semifinal second leg. Notably, Manchester City hasn't suffered a regulation loss in 90 minutes in their last 27 Champions League games, dating back to a 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig to conclude the 2021/22 group stage, a match that ultimately held no significance. The victor of this quarterfinal clash is widely considered the frontrunner to lift the trophy, with Manchester City and Real Madrid collectively possessing a formidable 46.11% chance of winning the title according to Opta's predictive models. Since the commencement of the 2021/22 season, Vinicius Jr has been a prolific contributor in the Champions League, amassing more goal contributions (14 goals, 15 assists) than any other player. His impact was evident in the first leg as well, where he added two assists to his tally. Man City vs Real Madrid team newsManchester City will welcome Kyle Walker back to full fitness, with the England international making the bench in the recent match against Luton Town. Notably, key players such as Phil Foden, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva were unused substitutes in the commanding 5-1 victory. Pep Guardiola's strategic management allowed Manchester City to assert control over the Premier League title race while affording crucial rest to some of their key players. Heading into the second leg against Real Madrid, Guardiola faces no fitness concerns or suspensions. Moreover, with yellow card counts resetting after this round, Manchester City have no players at risk of suspension in the subsequent matches. This provides Guardiola with a fully available and unencumbered squad for the crucial upcoming fixtures. Carlo Ancelotti faces a significant challenge in managing the absence of Aurelien Tchouameni due to yellow card suspension, depriving Real Madrid of his presence in midfield for this crucial match. The veteran Toni Kroos is expected to step in to fill the void left by Tchouameni's absence. Fortunately for Ancelotti, Kroos comes into the match fully rested, having been spared from action during the weekend fixture. Additionally, with Luka Modric logging 86 minutes over the weekend, managing his workload becomes imperative. On the positive side, Eduardo Camavinga's limited involvement, with just 26 minutes of play, suggests he's in prime condition to contribute effectively if called upon. Eder Militao's return from an ACL tear marks a significant milestone, but Ancelotti is likely to ease him back into full match fitness gradually. As for Rodrygo, who missed the weekend fixture due to a knock sustained in the first leg, he is expected to be fit and available for selection. These considerations highlight Ancelotti's careful balancing act in optimizing his squad's fitness and readiness for the upcoming challenge against Manchester City. Man City vs Real Madrid best bet
The first leg indeed showcased the attacking ethos of both Manchester City and Real Madrid. While Manchester City once prided themselves on defensive solidity alongside their dominant victories, they now prioritize overwhelming attacking prowess over keeping clean sheets. In the current Premier League campaign, Manchester City have managed just three clean sheets in 13 games, and in the Champions League, they've only secured one clean sheet in nine matches — a 3-0 home win against Young Boys. However, despite this defensive vulnerability, Manchester City have remained unbeaten across all 22 mentioned games, indicating their ability to secure results without necessarily keeping clean sheets. Real Madrid presents a similar profile. While they've been defensively sound in the league, they've only kept three clean sheets in the Champions League. Their sole clean sheet away from home, against RB Leipzig, was largely thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, as their defense faced significant challenges throughout the match. Both teams are inclined to push forward aggressively, signaling a departure from the cautious approach seen in past Champions League encounters. The days of tense, cagey affairs seem to be a thing of the past as both Manchester City and Real Madrid prioritize attacking flair over defensive conservatism. Man City vs Real Madrid prop bet
While Erling Haaland has endured a recent slump in front of goal for Manchester City, Phil Foden has stepped up admirably to fill the void. Haaland, although starting to rediscover his form, has only managed one open-play goal in his last six appearances across all competitions. Manchester City, however, boasts a multifaceted attack, as evidenced by Foden's recent performances. Foden, who has been carefully rested in their last two Premier League fixtures, has been instrumental in City's goal-scoring prowess. Guardiola's decision to prioritize European competition over domestic fixtures underscores Foden's significance to their Champions League campaign. Foden has been a standout performer in Europe this season, contributing eight goals in seven Champions League matches. Moreover, he has notched an impressive nine goals in his last nine Premier League outings before his recent rest period. With such prolific form, backing Foden to lead the charge seems like a prudent choice. While his +150 odds as an anytime goal scorer hold value, considering his creative abilities with minimal risk seems to be the smarter play. Man City vs Real Madrid card prop
Italian referee Daniele Orsato's reputation as one of Europe's most experienced and decorated officials is well-deserved, particularly for his composure and skill under pressure. His track record in high-stakes matches suggests that we could see a flurry of cards throughout the 90 minutes when he officiates. Orsato has officiated two Champions League knockout clashes between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the past four years, both held at the Bernabeu. In the 2022 semifinals, he presided over Real Madrid's dramatic 3-1 victory, during which seven bookings were issued amid 34 total fouls. Similarly, in the 2020 Round of 16, he oversaw Manchester City's 2-1 triumph, a match remembered for Sergio Ramos' late dismissal following a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired comeback by the visitors. Given the history between these clubs, once one team seizes an opening goal, they're likely to adopt a pragmatic approach, aiming to close out the game at all costs. However, past encounters suggest that despite their efforts, the game may still be finely poised, adding an extra layer of intensity and competitiveness, potentially leading to heated exchanges on the field. Man City vs Real Madrid live stream, TV channel
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