Football News

Manchester City vs Real Madrid predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable line-ups

By Dean Smith

Published: 17:26, 16 April 2024

An enthralling 3-3 in the Bernabeu last week means this Champions League quarter-final tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid is delicately poised for the return fixture at the Etihad Stadium.

The second leg kicks off on Wednesday April 17th at 20:00 BST, with coverage available in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and Ultimate.

Both teams have been in fantastic form in this competition, winning all of their matches prior to last week’s draw in the Spanish capital. But something has to give on Wednesday, and one of Europe’s heavyweights will be dumped out before the semi-final stage.

These two have become familiar foes in recent times and this is the sixth occasion they have met in just over 10 years and results have been fairly evenly distributed.

Real raced into an early lead last week after a two-goal salvo cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s second-minute strike for City, and a frantic encounter saw the balance of the match swing in both directions, before Fede Valverde’s stunning late volley ensured the Spanish giants would head to Manchester this week on an even footing.

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Home comforts could be key once again for City

City have yet to lose to the 14-time European champions on home soil and the last two Etihad meetings have seen the English champions win 4-0 and 4-3 when Los Blancos have rolled into town.

Pep Guardiola’s men are on a 41-match unbeaten streak in all competitions at the Etihad and they are warm favourites to edge closer to back-to-back Champions League titles with a victory this week.

Real have also been in good form and they hold an eight-point advantage over Barcelona in the La Liga standings with seven games remaining.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have bagged 21 goals in the Champions League this term, while City have plundered at least three goals in each of their last four outings, so another lively contest can be expected in this decider.

Only three of the 11 meetings between these sides have seen one or both teams fail to score, while seven of those matches have seen at least three goals scored.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid team news

John Stones is a doubt for City, but Rodri and Phil Foden look set to return after being rested for the weekend win over Luton.

Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva were also unused substitutes against the Hatters but they are all in contention to start this match at the Etihad alongside Kevin De Bruyne, who made his return from injury on Saturday.

Eder Militao is back in the reckoning after returning from injury in Real’s weekend win at Mallorca. Crucially, Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for this return leg in Manchester, while Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba remain long-term absentees.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid predicted line-ups

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):l Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Vinicius Junior.

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