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Man City vs Real Madrid tips
- Man City to win and over 3.5 goals – 13/5 BoyleSports
- Phil Foden to score two goals or more – 18/1 bet365
- Jude Bellingham to be shown a card – 5/2 bet365
For the third season in a row, Manchester City and Real Madrid lock horns in the Champions League knockout stage at the Ethiad Stadium on Wednesday night (TNT Sports 1, 8pm).
The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, leaving the contest delicately poised heading into the return fixture.
City held the lead twice, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men battled back to earn parity, boosting their chances of avenging their defeat to City in last year’s semi-finals.
City destroyed Los Blancos in the second leg, running out 4-0 winners at the Etihad, but have come unstuck against the Spaniards in the past, going out to them in the last four in 2022.
Football betting sites favour the Premier League champions for this latest encounter, making City odds-on to win on the night and qualify for the semis.
Pep Guardiola’s side put five past Luton Town in their Premier League clash to move to the summit of the English top flight at the weekend, taking control of the title race amid slip ups from both Liverpool and Arsenal.
The pieces are falling into place for a second successive treble for City and they can keep on the right path by eliminating Madrid for the second year in a row in the Champions League, albeit Los Blancos should not be so easily brushed aside as they were in the last campaign.
Having studied the latest Champions League odds, here are our betting tips for this blockbuster clash.
Man City vs Real Madrid prediction: European thriller to go City's way
City were on point from the off to put Madrid to the sword with ease last season. Bernardo Silva scored a brace before goals from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez sealed City’s place in the final.
It was redemption for their collapse in the previous campaign when two Rodrygo goals stunned the Cityzens at the Bernabeu. There's been no shortage of drama when these sides have met recently and we could be in for another treat at the Etihad.
Although they scored five goals at the weekend, City are not as free-flowing in the final third as they were last season.
Erling Haaland has been hit and miss since his return from injury, and although Phil Foden has been sensational and Julian Alvarez reliable once more, support outside has been inconsistent from Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku.
Having said that, City have still managed to score exactly three goals in every Champions League match so far this season.
Madrid have been dealing with a defensive crisis at the back throughout the campaign, losing Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Eder Militao to long-term injuries.
Aurelien Tchouameni has shown his versatility to play in the backline, although he will miss the game due to suspension, further depleting Ancelotti’s options to pair with Antonio Rudiger.
Madrid may have to outscore City to win this one. Rodrygo has been a thorn in City’s side in the past and could be effective on the break. Jude Bellingham will also be out to showcase his outstanding credentials in England after starring in LaLiga this term.
Given the players involved and the defensive deficiencies on both sides, we’re expecting a high-scoring affair once again.
Betting sites have various lines available to pair a result with a goals market and we’re taking a City win with over 3.5 goals at 13/5 with BoyleSports.
Man City vs Real Madrid Tip 1: Man City to win and over 3.5 goals – 13/5 BoyleSports
Foden to play starring role
Foden has been City’s man for the big occasion this season and he delivered at the Bernabeu with a stunner from the edge of the box to level the scores.
The 24-year-old has the advantage so far against his England team-mate Bellingham, and although the two players are expected to play a key role alongside one another in this summer's Euros, Foden will once again be desperate to outperform his compatriot at club level.
Since breaking into Guardiola's starting line-up, Foden has regularly caught the eye, but he has taken his game to the next level this term. Just as he was before the first leg, Foden was rested for City’s win over Luton last time out.
It was clear his fresh legs made a difference, especially in the second half when City needed inspiration to get back into the game. Only four players have more goals than Foden in the Champions League this season, including Haaland and Harry Kane.
We believe he could be in line for another special performance at home, backing up his efforts from wins over Manchester United and Aston Villa where he scored a match-winning brace and a hat-trick in those respective fixtures.
Haaland has been quiet against Madrid over the past two years, so we’re ignoring his odds on betting apps and instead going for Foden to score two goals or more at a bumper price of 18/1 on bet365.
Man City vs Real Madrid Tip 2: Phil Foden to score two goals or more – 18/1 bet365
Champions League betting tips: Bellingham to be booked
Bellingham’s star continues to rise in Spain after an outstanding debut season for Madrid in LaLiga, with his team closing in on the top flight crown.
He would dearly love to add a Champions League title to make it a famous double, but facing down the defending champions is a tough act, especially on the road. It will take discipline from the Madrid backline and midfield to prevent City from enjoying a similar result to last season.
Bellingham is not one to shy away from physical side of the game, earning five bookings in LaLiga and two in the Champions League this season.
He has averaged one foul per game in the Champions League across his seven appearances and could be in line for another game in which he might test the referee’s leniency.
Referee Daniele Orsato has been assigned the fixture and averages 4.40 yellow cards per game, so he’s not unwilling to brandish cards when necessary. Bellingham’s competitive attitude may just get the better of him at the Etihad if he’s forced to sit back and defend.
We’re backing him at 5/2 with bet365 to be shown a card.
Man City vs Real Madrid Tip 3: Jude Bellingham to be shown a card – 5/2 bet365
Man City vs Real Madrid predictions
Free bet offers for Man City vs Real Madrid
Man City vs Real Madrid is the standout fixture of the Champions League quarter-final line-up and you can get free bet offers and more for wagering on the action by signing up for gambling sites.
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Last Updated: 17th April 2024, 09:59 PM
