Man City vs Real Madrid tips and predictions: Guardiola to get the better of Ancelotti

Man City confirmed their status as the best team in the world when beating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid en route to winning last year’s Champions League.

Few teams lift the coveted silverware in consecutive seasons, yet Pep Guardiola’s side look capable of exactly that, potentially reaching the final by the same route no less.

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich could await them in a mouthwatering semi-final, although domestic title rivals Arsenal will fancy their chances

The Premier League side were held to a 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu last week, leading twice only to be pegged back by Federico Valderde’s late goal.

This marks the third straight season these giants of European football have clashed in the knockout stages with each side advancing once.

City should have won both ties and they can take confidence from the previous meetings at the Etihad, as they found the net four times in both.

On the other hand, the host's Champions League performances haven’t mirrored the level of control they’ve shown domestically, as eight of their nine opponents have found the net.

It didn’t matter as Pep’s side scored three goals in all of those matches, but their defensive lapses finally caught up with them against a team of Real Madrid’s quality.

Likewise, Carlo Ancelotti’s side is used to scoring a glut of goals on their travels, yet clean sheets have been less frequent, so this game should play out similarly to previous meetings.

 

Team news

Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva sat out of Saturday’s win over Luton but are expected to start on Wednesday.

If John Stones is ruled out, Manuel Akanji will partner with Ruben Dias in defence.

Likewise, Real Madrid took no chances with Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior dropped to the bench at the weekend.

Joselu and Brahim Diaz will rotate out of the side as Real should opt for a more dynamic attack to strike on the break.

 

Key stats

- There have been 22 goals in five meetings across the last three seasons
- Man City have never lost to Real Madrid at the Etihad
- Man City have scored four goals in each of the previous two meetings at the Etihad
- Man City have conceded in eight of nine Champions League matches
- Real Madrid have scored at least one goal in all 22 away matches this season

 

Suggested bets

Man City win and both teams score

Man City: Over 2.5 goals

Phil Foden to score