Manchester City take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on April 26 at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City Current Run of Form
Pep Guardiola’s side are flying high in the Premier League, sitting a point ahead of second-placed Liverpool and a comfortable 15 points clear of Chelsea in third.
The Citizens have never won the Champions League but will be hoping to pick up a European double if they can withhold Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the league and break their European duck.
City, along with Liverpool, are in brilliant form but face another Spanish side in the final four of the Champions League having dispatched Atletico Madrid in the previous round.
A 5-1 win over Watford saw City remain top of the Premier League, but tonight’s fixture against the 13-time European champions will be a much more difficult test.
Guardiola’s side have lost just 13 times this season, although two of those defeats came in the Champions League group stages against RB Leipzig (2-1) and PSG (2-0).
The hosts will be hoping to carry their domestic form (five wins, two draws and a loss in their last eight league games) into tonight’s first leg clash, although Kyle Walker (ankle) and John Stones (muscle) could be big absentees from the City squad.
Real Madrid Current Run of Form
Real Madrid find themselves in a similar position to Manchester City domestically with Carlo Ancelotti’s side champions-elect in La Liga.
Despite their form in Spain, however, Madrid very nearly found themselves on the wrong side of a Champions League upset when Chelsea were on the verge of an incredible comeback having lost their quarter-final first leg 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Rodrygo was on hand to volley home Luka Modric’s sensation pass, forcing the game into extra time, and Karim Benzema provided the goods and sank Chelsea hearts.
Los Blancos are enjoying a six-game winning streak away from home and will hope that form carries through into tonight’s game at the Etihad. They will need to provide a much better performance than that in the 3-1 win over Osasuna on Wednesday night, however, when Benzema twice missed from the penalty spot.
Ancelotti is suffering a few injuries within his squad, however, so may be forced to make some changes in Manchester.
Recent Head to Head
Tonight’s first leg tie in Manchester is the seventh meeting between Real and Man City in the Champions League. They last met in the 2019/20 version of the competition, with the Citizens claiming a pair of 2-1 wins in the last 16.
Los Blancos had previously won 1-0 over two legs in the 2015/16 semi-finals, though that was before Guardiola moved to Manchester from Bayern Munich.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Prediction
This game is likely to see a fair amount of attacking chances with both sides suffering from injuries or suspensions in defence.
Joao Cancelo is ineligible due to picking up three cautions in the competition, whilst Kyle Walker (ankle) and John Stones (muscle) are doubts. David Alaba (thigh) was forced off against Osasuna so could be limited, but Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz will all mist out.
Marcelo may have to deputise Ferland Mendy at left-back.
With that in mind, these two teams could play out an entertaining attacking fixture in Manchester.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid
Current Odds: Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Manchester City win – 4/9
Draw – 18/5
Real Madrid win – 11/2
De Bruyne & Benzema 1+ shot on target each – 2/1
Man City to score 2+ goals and 5+ Man City corners – 10/11
Man City to win, Mahrez & De Bruyne 1+ shot on target each, Rodri & Carvajal carded – 28/1
Odds all from SkyBet and correct as of April 26
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