Manchester City host Real Madrid in the first leg of their knockout play-off in 2024-25 UEFA Champions League.
Man City qualified for this stage after they finished 22nd in the league phase, whilst Real Madrid only qualified 11th and missed out on a pass to the Round of 16 by just one point.
Team News
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report with Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland amongst various regulars set to return, having been rested in City’s comeback FA Cup win at Leyton Orient.
Ederson (fitness), Nathan Ake (muscle) and Jeremy Doku (unspecified) could also be available but Nicolas Gonzalez (knock) is a doubt.
Rodri remains absent with a serious knee injury.
Real Madrid will be without Lucas Vasquez after he suffered a hamstring injury in La Liga’s Madrid derby against Atletico, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
David Alaba (muscle), Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao (both knee) and Antonio Rudiger (thigh) remain absent.
Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick, Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni are one booking away from being suspended for the second leg.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 11 February at 8pm GMT, live on Amazon Prime in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have won one of their last five Champions League meetings against Real Madrid (W1, D2, L2).
- Excluding penalties, Real Madrid are winless in six Champions League visits to Man City (D3, L3).
- City have scored four goals in two of their last three home matches against Real Madrid.
- Man City scored 11 goals at home in the league phase of this season’s competition (W2, D2).
- Real Madrid conceded five goals in three of their four away games in the league phase (W2, L2).
Prediction
After a lacklustre win at Leyton Orient where they often lacked much cutting edge for all of their attacking dominance and possession despite numerous changes, City need to buckle up their ideas fast because they can’t afford another sloppy display if want any chance of winning this tie.
Real Madrid meanwhile are now in a tricky situation with several defensive injuries whilst Tchouameni is amongst key players on the cusp of suspension, but I am expecting them to come out and try to dominate the attack but they must be more clinical than they were against Atletico.
Frankly neither defence is in any sort of proper top shape so I do expect goals here and it wouldn’t be surprised if the tie is sat on a cliff edge going into the second leg, but Real Madrid really need to get the job done here in case they lose the likes of Bellingham, Modric and Tchouameni for the return leg to suspensions.
Prediction: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid
