Primera Liga giants Real Madrid will try to reach the Champions League final once again when they face Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The first leg ended goalless last week, a result which leaves all avenues open for the second leg. Manchester City will have to score if they want to qualify, and that will be a tough task since Madrid haven't conceded at home in the Champions League in almost a whole year. Moreover, Real Madrid have only failed to win two of their last twenty home matches in the Champions League, while this season they only failed to win three matches in front of their own fans.
Real Madrid have not lost a match since the previous Champions League round, when they were surprisingly defeated 2-0 away by Wolfsburg. Since then they recorded six wins and a draw, the goalless one at Manchester City. In those seven matches they conceded just one goal, in a 5-1 Primera Liga victory at Getafe. Last weekend they edged 1-0 past Real Sociedad, keeping their chase for the league title alive as they trail Barcelona and Atletico Madrid by just one point. Cristiano Ronaldo should make his return to the starting eleven but Karim Benzema will most likely miss out again.
Manchester City have had an up and down season in the Premier League, their title hopes have faded weeks ago and they might even miss out on a top four place. Last weekend they lost 4-2 at Southampton, a terrible result even though manager Manuel Pellegrini has rested a few big names. A presence in the Champions League final would rescue their season though and allow Pellegrini to leave the club on a high note. David Silva is injured and will not play on Wednesday, but Yaya Toure should be fit again.
Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid: Navas - Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo - Kroos, Modric - Bale, Rodriguez, Ronaldo - Vazquez
Man City: Hart - Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy - Fernando, Fernandinho - Navas, Toure, De Bruyne - Aguero
My prediction: Real Madrid to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Real Madrid win - 1.50 Draw - 4.75 Man City win - 7.00
sharpe
7 years ago
Real was favourite of course before that mach after first leg has ended 0-0. It wasn't pretty or convincing but I'm sure they'll accept that when it come to the Champions League final place. It was a good campaign for Man City in the CL but as a whole the season was disasterous for them.
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milo?.sekuli?
7 years ago
Generally, I dont like Spain clubs,but tonight :'m rooting for Real. I dont like City and the way they play, but both teams are very motivated to win at least one trophy this season. Winning the Champions League, Real will save this season. Playing in front of home fans plus Ronaldo on the field, plus more experienced players,...
Generally, I dont like Spain clubs,but tonight :'m rooting for Real. I dont like City and the way they play, but both teams are very motivated to win at least one trophy this season. Winning the Champions League, Real will save this season. Playing in front of home fans plus Ronaldo on the field, plus more experienced players, I have no doubt of victory : D
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mannixx
7 years ago
Starting lineup: Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Jesé, Ronaldo. Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Touré, De Bruyne; Agüero.
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nik92 7 years ago
Real Madrid with Ronaldo in the team is totally different team. Tonight they play for the season, because it is difficult to expect to win the title in Spain. I think it will Isko be in the starting lineup, not Rodrigez. It is just offensive setup without Casemiro, he is more oriented defensively. Real is at home most...
Real Madrid with Ronaldo in the team is totally different team. Tonight they play for the season, because it is difficult to expect to win the title in Spain. I think it will Isko be in the starting lineup, not Rodrigez. It is just offensive setup without Casemiro, he is more oriented defensively. Real is at home most powerful team, it's not difficult to achieve a lot of goals. My prediction is that Real will score 3 goals, and Ronaldo 1 or 2. :) Go Madridistas. :)
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mannixx
7 years ago
Its a huge game tonight, i think it will be completely different than game last week. Ronaldo is back , but Pellegrini knows him very well and the way he plays so it will be very interesting, and also i would gave a chance in second half to young talent who scored two goals against southempton this weekend Iheanacho.
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