Manchester City VS Real Madrid Match Prediction
2020-08-07
19:00:00
Manchester City
VS
Real Madrid
Our Prediction Tip
Manchester City will win this match.
2020-08-0719:00:00 Manchester City will win this match.
Manchester City’s first-leg success was their first victory in five Champions League matches against Real Madrid. Gabriel Jesus cancelled out Isco’s opener and Kevin de Bruyne’s penalty earned a hugely valuable 2-1 away win. Previously, Madrid had won both home games – 3-2 in the 2012-13 group stage and 1-0 in the decisive second leg of the 2015-16 semi-finals. At the Etihad, City earned a 1-1 draw in 2012 and a goalless draw in the semi-final first leg in 2016.
Manchester City are in charge of this tie but it is still very much all to play for in the second leg at the Etihad.
City’s first-leg success was a tactical masterclass by Pep Guardiola – the 2-1 comeback win the product of outplaying Real Madrid on their own ground.
Gabriel Jesus’ equaliser and Kevin de Bruyne’s penalty, before Sergio Ramos was sent off, was no more than they deserved.
Ramos’ suspension will be a big miss, with the captain key when the chips are down for Madrid.
Still, Zinedine Zidane’s side are in fine form, winning ten in a row to seal the La Liga title before a draw with a much-changed team on the final day.
City were the best side in the Premier League post-lockdown, claiming 21 posts and scoring plenty of goals – even with Sergio Aguero sidelined.
Without Aguero, Raheem Sterling was in goalscoring form and Kevin de Bruyne continued a fine season with several goals and assists.
But the concern will be their limp display in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal – denying them the chance of more silverware.
They will face tougher opposition, including Real, in the Champions League but they are at least in charge of this tie.
An early home goal could help quell some nerves – and when City score first, they tend to win. The first leg of this tie was a rarity in City coming from behind.
The first goal may be key, but if City get it, they can secure their quarter-final place.
Manchester City are 7/10 favourites to beat Real Madrid with Bet365 and 888sport.
City to qualify, given their 2-1 away win in the first leg, is 1/8 with Bet365 and Betway.
Both teams to score has been set at a best price of 11/20 with Betway, meanwhile.
Raheem Sterling ended the Premier League season in goalscoring form. He is a best price of 31/20 to score at any time.
Manchester City are in charge of this tie but could do with an early goal at the Etihad. Nevertheless, they are favourites to win this second leg too.
Sergio Aguero remains sidelined for Manchester City, but he was on the bench as City got their tactics spot on in the first leg so there is no guarantee he would have played anyway. Either Raheem Sterling or Bernardo Silva might play in the false nine position they shared in Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s biggest selection decision will be whether to put his faith in in-form youngsters Eric Garcia and Phil Foden. Benjamin Mendy is suspended, so Joao Cancelo could play at left-back.
Raheem Sterling – Three goals in the final two league games means he has scored 30 goals so far this season, with nine assists too.
Kevin de Bruyne – A goal and an assist in the first leg continued an outstanding season for the Belgian. He has 15 goals and 23 assists in all competitions this season.
Aymeric Laporte – His return to fitness has been key for Manchester City – their defensive record with him in the side highlights that.
Manchester City missed out on silverware with a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, but they ended the Premier League season with two big wins. Raheem Sterling’s double and a goal each for Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte earned a 4-0 win at Watford, before Gabriel Jesus, Kevin de Bruyne’s double, Sterling and Riyad Mahrez earned a 5-0 victory at home to Norwich. City passed 100 league goals for the season as a result.
His red card in the first leg means Sergio Ramos will miss this tie, while Mariano Diaz is also highly unlikely to travel too – although the incident does seem to be isolated. Marcelo is a doubt at left-back, with Ferland Mendy set to start. Gareth Bale remains out of favour, cutting a frustrated figure on the bench.
Isco – Scored in the first leg and set up two goals in the final game of the La Liga season to stake his claim for another start.
Raphael Varane – With no Ramos, the Frenchman will be the man tasked with leading the defence against City’s free-scoring attacking players.
Karim Benzema – The Frenchman leads Real Madrid’s goalscoring charts so far this season, matching last season’s tally of 21 La Liga goals.
Real Madrid won ten in a row to seal the La Liga title, most recently beating Villarreal 2-1 thanks to Karim Benzema’s double. They rested players for the final league game of the season and drew 2-2 with Leganes – Sergio Ramos and Marco Asensio seeing their goals cancelled out as Madrid’s winning streak ended.
Watch Live Streaming