Real Madrid host Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League tie in the Last 16.
City enter the knockout stage with a provision two-season ban hanging over them, so will be eager to prove a point against a Real team who are looking to add a 14th Champions League title to their name.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesEden Hazard is ruled out for Real Madrid after limping off in Saturday’s defeat to Levante with an ankle injury.
Gareth Bale is expected to return after recovering from illness but Marco Asensio (knee) is definitely sidelined.
Man City could have Raheem Sterling available after the winger missed their last two games with a thigh injury.
Leroy Sane however misses out as he continues to near a return from a lengthy knee injury suffered in August.
Stat Attack
- Real Madrid have never lost to Manchester City in four previous meetings (W2, D2), of which both victories came at home.
- Man City have scored just three goals in those four previous clashes of which Sergio Aguero is the only goalscorer still with the Citizens, as Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov have both since moved on to pastures new.
- Just five members of Man City’s last teamsheet against Real Madrid in May 2016 still remain with the club (Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero & Raheem Sterling).
- Real Madrid have failed to win just one of their last five home games against English opposition – excluding Finals in which they were the home team (W4, D1).
- Man City have won just one of their last three away games against Spanish opposition (W1, L2), beating Sevilla in Group Stage of 2015-16 Champions League before losing to Real Madrid then Barcelona in May and October 2016 respectively.
Prediction
Man City were impressive against a Leicester team on Saturday who pushed them all the way, but they will need to be even more clinical against a Real Madrid team who possess a lot more danger than what Leicester ever imposed.
I therefore am expecting to see another cagey game between two top teams here, although there isn’t much to separate them so at least one away goal for City will be a solid result to take into the second leg.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester City
Result: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City