Real Madrid – Manchester City : Preview & Prediction
Real Madrid are looking to overcome another obstacle on the road to their 15th UEFA Champions League (UCL) title, with Manchester City perhaps the biggest threat to the reigning kings of Europe. The two giants met in identical circumstances in one of last year’s semi-finals, which Madrid won in extra time (aggregate: RM 6-5 MC). Los Blancos have won just two of their last four official matches (G2, P2) and come into the clash having slipped to third in LaLiga.
Inconsistency has weighed on Real Madrid in the domestic championship, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side will welcome the Premier League leaders full of confidence after winning the Copa del Rey (2-1 vs Osasuna), a title that adds to the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup won this season. After two consecutive away trips, Madrid return to the Bernabéu to face their most dangerous opponent so far in the UCL 2022-23, in which they have won all five matches played at their home ground (cumulative score: RM 12-2 away). It is worth noting that the reigning UCL champions have won 13 of their last 16 European home games (G13, E1, P2).
Now or never for Manchester City? Still without a European title to their name, this seems to be the season in which the English club are best placed to lift the coveted trophy, with Erling Haaland, who has already scored 12 goals in the UCL, providing a huge attacking threat. Pep Guardiola’s side needed no goals from the Norwegian star to stay top of the Premier League with a lacklustre 2-1 win over Leeds Utd on Saturday.
Well on track in the Premier League, Man City face the daunting challenge of knocking out the team that has been their tormentor in two of their last three UCL semi-finals. The psychological factor could weigh heavily for Guardiola’s side, who have two UCL titles as manager but have failed to progress from six of their last nine semi-finals in the competition.
Players to watch: Undoubtedly Real Madrid’s most decisive player at present, Vinicius Jr has scored beyond the hour mark in nine of their last ten UCL goals. It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian ace can be more lethal in front of goal than Haaland, who records a goal every 58 minutes in the UCL, the best average of any player to have scored at least five goals in the competition’s history.
Serie A highlight reel: Manchester City have now drawn four away UCL games.
Real Madrid – Manchester City : Betting Tips
Real Madrid – Win Odds: 3.25
