The second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League playoff between Real Madrid (Spain) and Manchester City (England) will take place on February 19 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The first match ended 3-2 in favor of Real Madrid. Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Madrid
The Spaniards secured a comeback victory in the first leg, defeating the Mancunians on their home turf with a score of 3-2. Notably, Madrid scored two goals late in the match. As a result, Real Madrid's winning streak in the Champions League has extended to four matches, with the team scoring at least three goals in each. To advance to the Round of 16, Carlo Ancelotti's side only needs to avoid defeat in the return leg.
- Real Madrid's uncompromising streak in this European competition stands at 11 games (8 wins and 3 losses).
- At least three goals were scored in 6 of Real Madrid's last 7 Champions League matches.
- Two or more goals were scored in the second half of the last five matches involving the Spaniards in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Thibaut Courtois – Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asensio, Federico Valverde – Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos – Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe.
Defenders Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are sidelined due to injuries.
Manchester City
The English side failed to capitalize on the first leg's closing stages, losing not only the victory but also the draw. Now, Pep Guardiola's team needs to win in Spain by two or more goals. If the return leg ends with a one-goal victory for the visitors, extra time will be played. Defeating Madrid will not be easy, especially since the Mancunians have only won one of their last six Champions League matches (1 draw and 4 losses). However, it's worth noting that Manchester City has consistently reached at least the quarter-finals in the last seven editions of this European competition.
- The Citizens have failed to win in regular time in 8 of their last 11 matches in this tournament (4 draws and 4 losses).
- At least four goals were scored in 7 of the last 8 matches involving the Mancunians in the Champions League.
- Both teams scored in 5 of the last 6 encounters of the club in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Manchester City (4-1-4-1)
Ederson – Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Abdukodir Khusanov – Mateo Kovacic – Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Savio – Erling Haaland.
Midfielder Rodri Hernandez, forward Oscar Bobb, and defender Manuel Akanji have long-term injuries and will not play in the near future.
Referee
Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 13%.
Match Prediction: Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
The opponents are well aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Nonetheless, their head-to-head matches remain high-scoring. In the last nine meetings in the Champions League, both teams scored in eight, with at least three goals scored in seven games. Additionally, both teams scored in the last four head-to-head matches at Real Madrid's home ground in the Champions League.
It's also worth noting that the bet "Both teams to score – yes" has won in the last eight home matches of Madrid in this European competition. At least three goals were scored in the last six games of Real Madrid at their home ground in the Champions League. The away matches of the English side in this tournament are equally high-scoring: both teams scored in 10 of Manchester City's last 12 away matches, with at least four goals scored in 8 of the last 9 away games of the Citizens.
I believe the head-to-head encounter between these teams will also delight us with high scoring. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes and Total over 2.5 goals
