Champions League preview and odds: Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Published on: 01/05/2016

Champions League preview and odds: Real Madrid vs Manchester City

May 04, 2016 20:45pm - Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Champions League - Semi-final, second leg (0-0)

Real Madrid and Manchester City will kick off their Champions League semi-final second leg with the scores all square at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid in the driving seat

Having held their opponents to a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid will start this Champions Leagu semi-final second leg clash as clear favourites.

The Spanish giants have lost just two of their last 24 matches at home in all competitions and have won their last five in a row without conceding a goal. Incredibly, they have scored 66 goals in their last 15 home games.

In the Champions League, Los Blancos are unbeaten in seven on home soil, having won six and drawn the other while conceding just a single goal.

City in unchartered territory

Manchester City were never expected to make it this far in the competition and now face the immense challenge of winning against the greatest European team of all time. However, with the scores still level, there is still hope for Manuel Pellegrini and his men.

The Sky Blues may be in unfamiliar waters but their boss has been here before. Moreover, he also has inside knowledge on what makes the Spanish giants tick, having previously coached the 10-time former winners. If the quiet Chilean can pull off a result in Madrid, he could be on course for a potential showdown against the man that will be replacing him this summer.

City have won three, drawn one and lost one of their five Champions League away games this season, with their only defeat coming away to Juventus.

Team news

The home side have several injury concerns with Alvaro Arbeloa, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos all in doubt.

Meanwhile, David Silva and Yaya Toure will be missing for the visitors.

Recent form (All competitions)

Real Madrid: DWWWW

Manchester City: DWDWW

Betting odds and tips

Real Madrid`s home form and pedigree in this competition should be enough to see them through against a team that has already exceeded expectations in this year`s event.

You can back Real Madrid to win in 90 minutes at 4/7 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 01/05/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (01/05/2016 16:19:50) but are subject to change.