UEFA Champions League defending champions Real Madrid will continue their quest for a 15th UCL title this Wednesday when they welcome English Premier League leaders Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Both European heavyweights are considered the favourites for this title, given the profile of their respective managers and the quality and experience among their squads.
Los Blancos are arguably the best club in Europe ever, with their record 14 UCL titles, at least seven more than any other club. Moreover, they come into this tie in a confident mood after sealing their first trophy win for the season courtesy of a 2-1 win over Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will now turn their attention to securing passage into the final of the UCL by another English opponent. The Spanish club defeated Chelsea 4-0 on aggregate to qualify for this round of the UCL.
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But having faced weaker teams so far, Los Blancos will see Manchester City as the biggest threat so far. However, Ancelotti’s side will fancy their chances of winning here, given that they defeated City over two legs when both sides met in the semi-final stage last season.
Madrid’s record of winning 13 of their last 16 European home games (D1, L2) also places them in good stead to win here, even though they are on indifferent form across their last four games in all competitions (W2, L2).
Meanwhile, Manchester City will travel to the Spanish capital in solid form after winning their fifth game in a row at the weekend thanks to a 2-1 win over Leeds United.
Although that wasn’t their performance, the win made it 20 games without defeat for Guardiola’s side and kept them stationed at the top of the Premier League table.
But despite their apparent success domestically, it is in Europe that City remain unsuccessful and eager for silverware. The wealthy Cityzens are still hunting for a first European crown and will feel this could be their year, as they remain the only unbeaten side in this tournament.
They beat German giants Bayern Munich 4-1 on aggregate to qualify for this round. They will fancy their chances of finally beating a Madrid side that have dumped them out of the UCL in two of their last three semi-final appearances.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s last four UCL away games have ended as draws. So it is difficult to predict what the outcome will be here. However, BTTS/GG is highly likely, given the quality of both teams in attack.
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