Real Madrid – Manchester City, Prediction Champions League

Real Madrid are again the underdogs, as they were in last year’s clash

Real Madrid won Copa del Rey at the weekend against Osasuna. A first trophy for Los Blancos and their one goal has already been achieved. Now comes the far trickier task of winning another Champions League after Barça are just one win away from the La Liga title. Real have problems in defence mainly due to the absence of Militao, which means that most likely Rüdiger and Alaba will partner in the middle, and Modric will most likely return in place of Tchouameni in midfield.

Man City comes out in perfect form against Real

Man City continue to march towards the treble, which, if achieved, will most likely make Guardiola “Sir”. In fact, Man City are firm favourites for all three trophies and are well placed to win them. The Citizens have 15 wins and 1 draw in their last 16 games and that draw was against Bayern in the Champions League return leg, so it will be very tricky for Real this time around. Guardiola’s only worries are related to Ake, who most likely won’t be ready to start the game.

I wouldn’t bet on an English win at the Bernabeu

Realistically Madrid don’t have much of a footballing argument against Man City. The football that the citizens practice is faster, more dynamic, they have the monstrous Halland, they hardly give the ball to the opponent, etc., but all this suits Real M to some extent. What can save the Spaniards is what saved them last season, which is their deep calm and confidence in such games, because all the expectation and tension is in Man City. The problem is that this time Real are the visitors in the return leg. That’s exactly why I’m not convinced that Man City will easily take the win at the Bernabeu and in the first leg I’m more inclined to bet on BTTS at 1.60.