Prediction: Manchester City vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Manchester City win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

With a spot in the final of this season’s Champions League still hanging firmly in the balance, Manchester City will welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad on Wednesday night.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have been disappointed after settling for a first-leg 1-1 draw out in Madrid last week, it is no secret that Pep Guardiola’s side are seen as a standout contender to claim a maiden European crown this season. Last seen over the weekend picking up some perfect momentum as they cruised their way to a 3-0 romp away at relegation scrappers Everton, the Premier League heavyweights have their sights set on completing a famous domestic and European sweep in 2023. With the mood around the Etihad at a red-hot high and now just a single victory away from defending their English crown, the ex-Barcelona boss finds his side in the midst of a staggering 22-match unbeaten run across all competitions. With that remarkable purple patch stemming all the way back to a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham on February 5th, City will simply be looking to finish off the job when they return to Manchester on Wednesday night.

Team News

Handed a full rest at Goodison Park over the weekend, midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne will undoubtedly be handed a full recall on Wednesday night. However, still dealing with a recent muscle injury, it appears that Dutch international Nathan Ake will miss out at the Etihad.

Notching his 36th Premier League strike away at Goodison Park a few days ago, the record-breaking Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s attack here. Now notching back-to-back domestic braces, the red-hot Ilkay Gundogan will be hoping to keep his place in City’s midfield.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have managed to claim that first-leg stalemate on home soil last week, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still seeking some recent stability. Despite claiming a nervy 1-0 victory against Getafe over the weekend, Los Blancos have won just a trio of their last six appearances across all competitions and they will know that they face a huge challenge at the Etihad on Wednesday night. Although the Spanish icons might be desperate to make more Champions League history next month, the one-time Everton boss has seen his superstar squad show some recent struggles on the road. Including signing off April with a woeful 4-2 drumming at the hands of Girona, Madrid have lost back-to-back domestic showdowns away from the Etihad for the first time since opening 2023. Likewise, suffering a pair of Champions League defeats in their last two trips to Manchester, Ancelotti will know that his squad must be at their very best on Wednesday night.

Team News

Although French international Eduardo Camavinga might have limped off against Getafe over the weekend, Ancelotti has stated that the one-time Rennes starlet is expected to feature on Wednesday night. Likewise, the defensive duo of Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao will make their return to Los Blancos’ squad.

Although attacking talisman Karim Benzema might have missed out a few days ago, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner will spearhead Madrid’s attack here. Bagging that first-leg strikes in the capital last week, Vinicius Junior will once again partner Benzema in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two European giants met for their first-leg meeting in Madrid last week, Manchester City and Real Madrid played out a 1-1 draw.
• However, the Sky Blues have secured back-to-back Champions League victories against Los Blancos at the Etihad.
• Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in each of their last 22 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to February 5th.
• Real Madrid have recorded just a single clean sheet in any of their previous six appearances across all formats.
• The Spanish icons have also shipped six goals in their back-to-back La Liga defeats outside of the capital.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid might have claimed a first-leg stalemate on home soil last week, Los Blancos will know that they face a heavyweight challenge here. Watching the Premier League giants enjoy a remarkable 22-match unbeaten run across all competitions, Guardiola’s high-flying squad will be looking to make another European statement here. Really gaining a reputation for their free-scoring displays, Wednesday’s hosts will also be excited by an eye-catching record against Los Blancos in Manchester. Clinching back-to-back Champions League victories against Madrid at the Etihad, we are expecting City to punch their European final ticket here.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet