Real Madrid vs Manchester City Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 23/02/2020, 07:53  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 26/02/2020 at 06:33 in Champions League Predictions

It's not been a good weekend for Real Madrid as they prepare for this Champions League game against Manchester City. They lost 1-0 at Levante on Saturday and that cost them their place at the top of La Liga. That wasn't the only problem though as Eden Hazard suffered a broken ankle so will be out of action for a while. Now Madrid have to focus on the first leg of this last sixteen tie. They didn't have the easiest of qualifying groups and finished second behind PSG. Only one of their three home games were won, a 6-0 hammering of Galatasaray. The other two ended in score draws against Club Brugge (after trailing 2-0) and group winners PSG.  That win over Galatasaray is their only home league victory in the Champions League in their last five matches. They come into this game having won just one of their last four league and cup games. The goals are still flowing but they can't stop conceding goals with only one clean sheet in their last five matches.

Manchester City have plenty of problems off the pitch at the moment especially when it comes to the Champions League. They still yearn to win this competition but are yet to even make it to the final. What must be so frustrating for them is that in recent times it has been English clubs that have knocked them out. Their Premier League title hopes are slimmer than a Supermodel but this is a big week for them. The trip to Madrid is followed by the EFL Cup final against Aston Villa on March 1, a game they are heavy favourites to win. This is a lot harder though of course with all respect to Villa. City won their group and didn't have too many problems in doing so. Only one of their last eight away games in the Champions League has been lost and they have scored in 13 of their last 15 matches. The two in which they didn't score were against Liverpool and Spurs. This is an intriguing fixture but the best bet is on both teams to score.