Prediction: Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a blockbuster Champions League semi-final showdown on Tuesday night, Real Madrid will welcome Manchester City to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, managing to make a crucial return to winning ways over the weekend as they claimed a 20th Copa del Rey crown, Real Madrid certainly have the feel of a side seeking some recent stability. Long since accepting that they will be unable to defend their Spanish crown this season, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have come under some real scrutiny on either side of the World Cup’s winter break. However, still winning six of their last eight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to that 3-2 loss against Villarreal on April 8th, the one-time AC Milan boss has seen his squad continue to shine while on European duties. Punching their Champions League semi-final ticket last month as they claimed a routine 4-0 aggregate romp against Chelsea, Los Blancos will be desperate to collect another heavyweight Premier League scalp.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term calf injury, Real Madrid will once again be without French international defender Ferland Mendy on Tuesday night. However, aside from the 27-year-old, Ancelotti’s side have reported a clean bill of health.

Bagging a brace in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final and with five goals in his last six appearances across all competitions, the red-hot Rodrigo will once again join reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema in attack.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have gone about things the hard way a few days ago, Pep Guardiola’s side did extend on their remarkable run of form. Eventually securing a 2-1 win against relegation scrappers Leeds, it is no secret that the Premier League giants are seen as a runaway pick to defend their domestic crown this season. Only continuing to excel on either side of March’s international break, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his side gain a string of plaudits. With their sights firmly set on making real history this year and with a domestic and European sweep at the top of their agenda in 2023, the Sky Blues are unbeaten in each of their last 20 straight appearances across all formats. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to February 5th, City have also gained a real reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third.

Team News

Making his return against Leeds over the weekend after overcoming a recent knock, midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne will undoubtedly keep his place in Guardiola’s starting XI here. Impressing in his new role, England international John Stones should receive a full recall in midweek.

Breaking records by the week and already notching 12 Champions League strikes in his eight European appearances this season, Erling Haaland will once again spearhead Manchester City’s charge in the Spanish capital.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two European heavyweights met in the Champions League semi-finals last season, Real Madrid secured what was a stunning 6-5 aggregate victory.
• All five of the previous meetings between Real Madrid and Manchester City have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in each of their last 20 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to February 5th.
• Including their Copa del Rey success over the weekend, Real Madrid have won six of their last eight appearances across all formats.
• Striking sensation Erling Haaland has notched 12 Champions League strikes in his eight appearances this season.

Conclusion

Watching Real Madrid eventually snatch a remarkable 6-5 aggregate victory against Manchester City last season, neutrals will be hoping for another famous battle on Tuesday night. With the Premier League giants now unbeaten in each of their last 20 straight appearances – a run that stems back to the start of February – Guardiola’s men have also gained a real reputation for their remarkable free-scoring displays. However, with Los Blancos making real Copa del Rey history over the weekend as they eventually snatched a 2-1 win against Osasuna, Tuesday’s hosts have already claimed a pair of heavyweight English scalps this year. It should be noted, with each of the last five meetings between Real Madrid and Manchester City finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Unibet