Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester City (7/10) v Real Madrid (31/10)

We are backing the home win

When: Friday, 7th August 2020, Kick-off 20:00

Where: The Etihad Stadium

On Friday night, Manchester City host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League last-16 second leg. The Citizens are 2-1 ahead from the first leg of the tie and will be highly confident of progression to the last eight of the competition.

Manchester City

The home team surrendered their Premier League title to Liverpool. However, if Pep Guardiola’s team wins the Champions League, then this season will arguably be considered a success. Winning European football’s elite competition was their priority this season. The Citizens have never won the Champions League, despite spending big-money and becoming a major force in the Premier League.

City heads into this potentially tough clash on the back of seven wins in their last nine games in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, Guardiola’s team has been impressive in front of goal, scoring at least two goals in five of their last six outings.

The Citizens have been strong of late in Champions League, as they are undefeated in eight matches in the competition, having claimed six victories. They have also scored at least twice in all six of the recent European outings.

Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane’s team are enjoying a highly successful campaign. Los Blancos won La Liga for the first time in three seasons, ending Barcelona’s run of two straight Spanish titles. The team from the Spanish capital finished the season with an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions, having claimed an impressive ten victories. The visitors also found their scoring boots towards the end of the season, scoring at least twice in their final four games in all competitions.

Real Madrid have a mixed recent record in the Champions League. The 2-1 first-leg defeat at the Bernabeu ended a five-game undefeated run in Europe’s elite competition. Los Blancos have won just three of their previous eight games in the Champions League dating back to last season when they suffered a shock defeat against Ajax.

A big positive for the visitors is their recent home record in the competition, having claimed victories in five of their last six games on their travels. Los Blancos have been pretty prolific on their travels of late, scoring at least twice in four of their last six away games in the Champions League.

Conclusion

This looked to be one of the most intriguing ties in the last-16 of the competition when the draw was made. The first leg was highly tense and entertaining. It’s a difficult one to call, but we are backing City to record a narrow victory and also the over 2.5 goals scored, as both teams are highly dangerous in attack. The absence of Sergio Ramos through suspension for the visitors will also make the visitor’s defence highly vulnerable.

Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 7/10 and/or over 2.5 goals at odds of 4/9 (All odds are taken from Bet365)

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Who will make it to the last eight of the Champions League from this tie?