Europe Champions League, Play-off games, 1st Leg

[spkutano]

 

[spkutano]

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:
Manchester City:Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe

This is the derby match of the Playoff round in the Champions League, a battle between the last two competition winners. Nobody expected such big names to face each against other in February. However, the current season is awful for Man City. They are out of the champions battle in the Premier League and they are out of the League Cup. The Citizens were close to elimination in the FA Cup as they were one-goal down at halftime against lower-division side Leyton Orient. Nevertheless, Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin de Bruyne scored in the second half to avoid another shameful defeat. Manager Pep Guardiola is doing his best to end the crisis, but it looks like a 'mission impossible'. According to many pundits, the absence of Rodri is the key reason for the poor results. But there is more. January acquisition Nico Gonzalez was taken off injured in his debut for the Citizens. He joined Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku in the medical department.

Real Madrid are the most successful side in the competition. Last season Real beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley to secure their 15th crown. But this season is different, Real Madrid's customary place in the knockout phase was under big threat after suffering three defeats in the opening five rounds. Nevertheless, they were excellent in the finish and secured three victories in the last three rounds, beating Atalanta, Red Bull Salzburg and Brest. Still, that wasn't enough to earn a direct ticket to the last 16. Real are first in domestic La Liga, but Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are waiting a mistake. On Saturday Real faced the city rivals Atletico Madrid in a very eventful match. A light penalty saw Atletico leading at half-time, but Real established a complete domination in the second half and the derby ended with an 1:1 draw. Ancelotti has big injury issues ahead of the trip to Etihad as almost all defenders are out at the moment.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Prediction:

I think Manchester City are closer to the victory in the first game. The home advantage is a reason for my pick, but not the only one. Real are very handicapped as almost all defenders are injured at the moment. Lucas Vazquez has suffered a new hamstring injury and he will be sidelined. Four additional players remain sidelined - Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and David Alaba. Five players have a different type of issue - Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick and Aurelien Tchouameni will miss the second leg if they are booked at Etihad. All five will be careful and that's not a good situation.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid Pick: Manchester City to win @ 2.29 with Pinnacle