Man City v Real Madrid predictions, betting tips, odds and free bets (Champions League - 26.4.2016)

Tuesday, 26 April 2016 16:20
Written by David Bet

Manchester City face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night? Who will come on top? Don't miss our MANCHESTER CITY v REAL MADRID betting preview with predictions, betting tips, enhanced odds, probable line-ups, bookmakers offers and no deposit free bets on the Champions League match!

MANCHESTER CITY v REAL MADRID BETTING PREVIEW

Manchester City hammered Stoke City 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium with a minimum of fuss at the weekend. They have hit good form just at the right time and are unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions. In Champions League, the Citizens beat PSG in the quarter-finals to move into the last four of Europe's premier competition for the first time. They have only won one of their four home games in the knockout stages, against PSG (D1 L2). Their only home defeat this season came against Juventus in the opening day of the tournament.

Yaya Toure picked up a thigh injury against Stoke City and will face a fitness test while captain Vincent Kompany is still making his way back from injury to full fitness. Bacary Sagna has spent most of the season as Manuel Pellegrini's first choice right-back, but he has missed their last two matches because of injury and Pablo Zabaleta is expected to replace the Frenchman. Up front Sergio Aguero will lead the line, while David Silva, Jesus Navas and Kevin De Bruyn will form the offensive midfield trio.

Real Madrid came from 2 goals down and were 2-3 winners away at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga last weekend and, in addition to moving them to within a point of Barcelona at the top of the league table, that result marked the occasion of Real’s fifth win in a row and their 11th victory in their last 12 matches in all competitions. Their only slip came when the Galacticos were beaten 2-0 away in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Wolfsburg. They advance to the semifinals thanks to a second-leg hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zinedine Zidane has slight concerns over Dani Carvajal and Karim Benzema, as well as Ronaldo who missed at the weekend. Brazilian midfieldere Casemiro also missed the win over Rayo through suspension but will start at the Etihad. Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo look sure to start in attack, while Lucas Vazquez and Jese Rodriguez are in contention for the remaining spot should Benzema fail to recover in time.

Manchester City and Real Madrid's only previous competitive encounter was in the 2012-13 Champions League group stages. The Merengues won 3-2 at the Bernabeu before a 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium.