HOLDERS Manchester City take a trip to serial winners Real Madrid for the first leg of their thrilling Champions League quarter-final tie.
Pep Guardiola’s side secured maximum points in Group G before annihilating Copenhagen with a 6-2 aggregate scoreline in the last-16.
And the Treble winners will be oozing with confidence as they head into this match fresh from a 4-2 mauling triumph against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
However, Madrid matched City’s group stage points tally and their Champions League heritage makes them one of the most dangerous clubs in Europe.
Furthermore, Carlo Ancelotti’s men also go into this game off the back of a win – beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga.
But City will still feel as if they have the upper hand after their complete domination the last time these two giants met.
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In the Champions League semis last season, City drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu before thumping the Spaniards 4-0 in the second leg.
What is the team news?
Real Madrid manager Ancelotti will still be forced to play without first-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois (knee) and defender David Alaba (cruciate ligament).
Manchester City gaffer Guardiola is hoping that the trio of Kyle Walker (hamstring), Nathan Ake (calf) and Josko Gvardiol (knock) shake off their injuries before the first leg.
What is their form like?
Man City have managed to keep their Premier League title hopes alive after beating Crystal Palace 4-2.
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Guardiola’s last defeat was back in December, a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa.
They sit third in the Premier League just one point behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid now lead LaLiga by eight points after their 2-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad have faced just one defeat in the league this season, a 3-1 loss against rivals Atletico Madrid – who face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Ones to watch
Despite missing the first half of the season due to a hamstring injury Kevin De Bruyne has been in spectacular form since returning to the squad.
And in Saturday’s clash at Selhurst Park the Belgium international scored twice.
He has made 14 goal contributions in all of his 16 appearances this season across all competitions.
Real Madrid’s star man continues to be Jude Bellingham.
The £114million signing has more than lived up to his price tag since the start of the campaign.
Despite suffering minor injuries and recently a two-game suspension, the midfielder has scored 20 goals and created 10 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions this term.
What has been said?
Ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola is relishing the challenge of facing his old rivals yet again.
He said: “It’s a bit like a tradition, three years in a row playing the king of the competition who have won 14 Champions Leagues.
“It is what it is, hopefully we can have a good moment.
“[There are] still a few weeks before the first game in Madrid. We’ll see.”
Ancelotti accepted that City is a tough draw but to win the Champions League you play against the best.
The ex-Chelsea and Everton gaffer said: “The idea is to win the competition, and for that you have to beat the best.
“City may be one of the best in Europe at the moment, it will be tough, of course.
“But if you want to be European champions, you have to eliminate City,”
SunSport’s score prediction
Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City
When is Real Madrid vs Man City?
- Real Madrid and Manchester City battle in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final TOMORROW – Tuesday, April 9.
- It is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST.
- The Bernabeu in Madrid is the allocated arena for this huge match and it can host a staggering 81,044 passionate fans.
- City humiliated Madrid 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) when the sides last met in last season’s semi-final.
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- Real Madrid vs Manchester City will be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
- Coverage is expected to get underway from 7pm BST – a whole hour before kick-off.
- Fans can also head to discovery+ to stream the entire action.
- Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match through our live blog.
What are the odds?
- Real Madrid to win 9/5
- Draw 12/5
- Man City to win 11/8
To qualify
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- Real Madrid 13/8
- Man City 4/9
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
