Real Madrid vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This has been a decider for the title in recent seasons but one side will be gone before the Round of 16 after a fascinating first-leg at the Etihad Stadium last week leaves this well poised.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 19th February, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Real Madrid Preview: Finding fluency
Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid were left frustrated in La Liga at the weekend as Los Blancos were held to a 1-1 draw by Osasuna at El Sadar in Pamplona the other day in a game in which Jude Bellingham was sent off for dissent.
However, in this competition where they are 15-time champions, Madrid came from behind twice and the latter being a late and dramatic turnaround to defeat Manchester City by three goals to two with the aforementioned Bellingham scoring a winning goal.
Man City Preview: Big performance needed
Manchester City appeared desperate to throw that game away with Pep Guardiola’s faltering Cityzens now making a habit of collapses this season and especially in this competition, losing 4-2 to PSG after being 2-0 up and drawing 3-3 with Feyenoord after leading 3-0.
The visitors did earn a much-needed morale boosting victory at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend as they hammered Newcastle United by four goals to nil thanks to a first-half hat-trick scored by Omar Marmoush before a late goal from James McAtee to complete the rout.
Real Madrid Team News: Defensive injuries
Real Madrid appear to have stumbled upon a way in which to get their so-called ‘galacticos’, such as Bellingham as well as Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, playing in an effective way. They have some key absentees in defence, though, such as Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Rodrygo, Ceballos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius
Unavailable: Alaba (Injured), Militao (Injured), Rudiger (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Vazquez (Injured)
Questionable:
Man City Team News: Marmoush should start
After Jack Grealish was forced off through injury last week, Omar Marmoush has been able to grab his opportunity in the Premier League and will expect to start at the Bernabeu. Manuel Akanji was also forced off last week with Rico Lewis expected to start.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Stones; Foden, De Bruyne, Silva, Marmoush; Haaland
Unavailable: Akanji (Injured), Rodri (Injured)
Questionable: Ake (Injured), Dias (Injured), Grealish (Injured), Bobb (Fitness)
Real Madrid vs Man City Prediction
Real Madrid have stuttered domestically at the moment and, last week, there were signs of susceptibility given the amount of key injury issues they have in defence. Manchester City will fancy their chances of exploiting Madrid on the counter-attack but they themselves are so wide open that, in a game where they need to score at least once and probably at least twice, they will leave themselves open to Madrid’s super stars having their way and it could well be good value to back a potentially comfortable home win.
Real Madrid vs Man City Tip: Real Madrid to win -1 handicap
