- Real are top of LaLiga
- Reigning champions City knocked Real out in semis last year
- Recommended bet: Man City to win

Manchester City can stay firmly on course in their bid to defend their Champions League crown by securing a first-leg win away at familiar rivals Real Madrid.

Last year City knocked out Los Blancos at the semi-final stage, hammering them 4-0 at home after drawing 1-1 in Spain, en route to winning the Champions League for the first time.

Pep Guardiola's side are involved in a tight three-way scrap with Liverpool and Arsenal for the Premier League title this season, but more European glory will also be on their minds ahead of their trip to the Bernabeu.

Team news

Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba remain absent for Real, but Eder Militao has recently recovered from his knee injury and could start. Dani Ceballos is a doubt for the hosts.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are both set to miss out for City through injury, while Josko Gvardiol is a doubt after picking up a knock against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Fit-again Ederson is expected to return in goal, while Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku were all rested on Saturday and are in line for recalls.

The stats

City are on a 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions, winning 21 of those games.

Real are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions, with nine victories and four draws in that run.

The two European superpowers are meeting in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the fourth time in five seasons.

City dumped out Real at the last-16 stage in 2020 and then in last year's semis, while Real memorably won their 2022 semi-final when they triumphed 6-5 on aggregate.

Prediction

This should be another closely-contested tie with plenty of goals again on the agenda, with the two sides having produced 17 goals across their last four meetings.

Real are unbeaten in all competitions at their Bernabeu fortress this season, but City can underline their European credentials again and demonstrate why many believe they remain the best side in Europe with a statement quarter-final first-leg win in Madrid.

Recent impressive victories in the Premier League over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace mean Guardiola's men will be full of confidence heading to the Spanish capital and they can secure a narrow advantage to take back to the Etihad.

Back Manchester City to win at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet.

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