Real Madrid v Manchester City Betting Tips: Honours even in Spain?
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Two Champions Leagueheavyweights go head-to-head at the Bernabeu tonight as Real Madrid welcomeManchester City for the first-leg of their mouthwatering round of 16 tie.
These sides last met in the competition at the semi-finalstage in 2016. Los Blancos emergedvictorious on that occasion before edging out city rivals Atletico in the finalat the San Siro.
They’re 12/1 to go all the way again and recapture the trophy they last won in 2018. But they’ll need to beat the tournament second-favourites first. Man City are 4/1 for a maiden CL crown.
So can Real put down a marker ahead of the second-leg? Or will Pep Guardiola’s men manage what Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have all failed to do and secure a first-leg advantage?
Match Odds
The Cityzens may be 1/2 favourites to qualify from the tie but they start tonight’s match as narrow underdogs. Our traders have them down at 7/5 against 7/4 for Real Madrid.
Neither side will want to give anything away ahead of the second-leg, though. And with both teams having drawn two of their last three in the Champions League, the Draw is 5/2.
Given the embarrassment of attacking riches on show, the match could lend itself to a Draw and Both Teams to Score at 3/1. Alternatively we go 11/2 about a 1-1 stalemate.
Talking Tactics
Guardiola has been handed a huge boost with the news thatRaheem Sterling is fit again following a recent hamstring injury. He’ll come infor Riyad Mahrez alongside Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva.
Ilkay Gundogan could also make way to accommodate the returnof David Silva, while Fernandinho will continue as a makeshift centre-half nextto Aymeric Laporte after serving a one-match CL ban.
City’s centre-halves will at least be breathing a sigh ofrelief at the loss of Eden Hazard. The ex-Chelsea talisman could miss the restof the season after fracturing his ankle at the weekend.
Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Isco are all frontrunners toreplace the Belgian. The latter’s experience could earn him the nod alongsideKarim Benzema and Gareth Bale in a fearsome front three.
Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy may also return, although it’s the performance of midfield general Casemiro that could hold the key to the outcome of the tie.
Goalscorer Odds
City’s forwards will smell blood tonight. Their opponentshave conceded 11 goals in their last five home matches in the Champions League,including shipping four to Ajax at this stage last year.
Hotshot Aguero may be the 21/20 Anytime favourite to net, but the Argentine has only netted twice in this season’s competition. That leads us to Sterling at 11/5 Anytime or 6/1 to Score First.
Gabriel Jesus may also fancy his chances off the bench. The Brazilian has netted 17 goals this season and has had the final say on five occasions. He’s 5/1 to Score Last in the contest.
Real have no shortage of options themselves and our traders go 7/5 about Benzema or 14/5 for Bale in the Anytime market. Sergio Ramos, who has eight goals this season, is a 4/1 outside shot.
Match Info
Where: SantiagoBernabeu
When: 8:00pm,Wednesday 26th February.
How to Watch: BTSport 2 / BT Sport Ultimate
All odds and marketscorrect as of date of publication
