Our Real Madrid vs Man City prediction for Tuesday night’s blockbuster Champions League quarter-final first-leg is one of the toughest games to call.
Next week’s mammoth knockout showdown will see two of Europe’s biggest powerhouses go head-to-head for the chance to reach the competition’s semi-final stage.
The tie’s first leg will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid with Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens the narrow favourites to take command of the fixture before heading back to Manchester for the reverse leg on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
David Alaba (cruciate ligament injury) and Thibaut Courtois (knee) are both ruled out. Still, Carlo Ancelotti has everyone else available, including English midfielder Jude Bellingham, who will be looking to remind teams from the Premier League what they’re missing out on.
Considering their relatively unaffected squad, we expect Madrid to name almost an identical starting lineup to the one that edged their way past RB Leipzig in the Round of Last 16.
Possible XI: Andriy Lunin, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vini Junior.
Nathan Ake (calf) and Kyle Walker (hamstring) are both ruled out for Tuesday’s game.
John Stones and Ederson are both primed to feature though after the pair made their manager’s matchday squad to face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Possible XI: Ederson, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland.
Tuesday night’s matchup will be just
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