Man City vs Real Madrid Prediction 17 April 2024

Manchester City and Real Madrid are the most prestigious pair in the Champions League quarter-finals. In the match a week ago, the teams fully met the fans' expectations and even exceeded them, delivering an incredible thriller (3-3). "City", as last year, brought a draw back from Spain and is the clear favorite for the return match. Will Ancelotti take into account the mistakes of last year's semi-final to avoid a fiasco at the "Etihad"?

For Manchester, the season is going well. The team has taken the lead in the championship, reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and achieved an acceptable result in the first quarter-final match of the Champions League. Winning the treble for the second year in a row is the goal for the "Citizens". In the Madrid match, except for an unexpected goal by Bernardo, Pep's boys hardly managed anything in the first half, but Pep tweaked the settings, and they played much better in the second. Foden and Guardiola scored brilliant goals, while Haaland had another not-so-bright match. Importantly, in the return match, "City" will be able to count on Walker and Ake – players who will definitely strengthen the defense and help in containing the opponent's speedy wingers.

Real is also doing well. It is not losing points in the championship, maintaining a comfortable lead over Barcelona, and fighting for a place in the Champions League semi-finals with the current trophy holder. Given the injuries that have plagued the "Merengues" throughout the season, there's hardly anything to criticize them for. Ancelotti came up with a good starting plan against "City", but in the second half, Madrid retreated significantly into their own penalty area, allowing Lunin to be "bombarded". They got back into the game with Modric coming on and leveled the score, but Valverde, who scored the lifesaving goal, called the draw a defeat. Remembering their visit to the "Etihad" last year, "Los Blancos" definitely wanted to gain an advantage at home.

Probable line-ups:

Manchester City: Ederson – Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol – Rodri – Grealish, Foden, De Bruyne, Silva – Haaland

Real Madrid: Lunin – Mendy, Rudiger, Militao, Carvajal – Kroos, Camavinga, Valverde – Bellingham – Rodrigo, Vinicius

Manchester is approaching the upcoming match without any losses. Madrid still cannot count on Courtois and Alaba, which they have already gotten used to. However, the absence of the suspended Tchouameni could be a problem for them.