Manchester City vs Real Madrid Prediction & Match Preview

The ground at Etihad Stadium will shake when Manchester City and Real Madrid face each other in the Champions League semis, first leg on Tuesday.

The Citizens did well to survive Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital, and they face yet another difficult task in the double-header with los Blancos.

Joao Cancelo is banned for the match, while Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan should be recalled to the starting XI after the duo was rested in a 5-1 crushing of Watford.

Both Kyle Walker and John Stones should recover in time to take part in the first leg. Carlo Ancelotti’s men, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Man City by beating Chelsea in the two-legged tie.

Real Madrid continue to rely on Karim Benzema, who is enjoying a season to remember, while Eden Hazard remains in the recovery room.

Anyhow, home win should be considered as Man City eliminated Real Madrid without any difficulties in their last meeting in the elite competition.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Head-to-head (h2h)

Teams Manchester City Real Madrid played so far 8 matches.
Manchester City won 3 direct matches. Real Madrid won 3 matches. 2 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 3.00 goals per Match.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Prediction

Manchester City in actual season average scored 2.57 goals per match. In 23 (82.14%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 19 (67.86%) matches in season 2022 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.

Real Madrid average scored 2.00 goals per match in season 2022. In 20 (74.07%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 18 (66.67%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.

Team News:

While all players who had only amassed one or two yellow have now seen their infringements wiped, City will have to cope without Joao Cancelo for the first leg, as the Portuguese picked up his third caution of the tournament at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Guardiola will therefore be desperate to have Kyle Walker back from an ankle issue in time for Tuesday – the right-back is “much, much better” according to the Catalan coach – and it remains to be seen if John Stones will battle back from a muscular injury to make himself available.

The likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez will all anticipate recalls to the first XI this week, but Jesus has given Guardiola plenty of food for thought by responding to links with a move away with a quartet of strikes on Saturday.

While Real Madrid do not have any suspension concerns for the first leg – Eder Militao is back from a ban served in the home loss to Chelsea – Ancelotti’s injury problems are mounting after David Alaba was taken off with a thigh issue against Osasuna.

The defender was restricted to indoor work on Saturday alongside Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz – all three of whom will miss out – but Alaba has made the squad alongside Casemiro and Ferland Mendy and could earn some minutes here.

Luka Modric was rested entirely for the win over Osasuna but will reprise his midfield role here alongside the returning Toni Kroos, while Marcelo should be fit enough to deputise at left-back for Mendy if needed.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Junior