Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Team news, predictions, schedule ahead of Champions League semi-final

Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Team news, predictions, schedule ahead of Champions League semi-final

Manchester City face Real Madrid tonight (20:00) in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. It’s a huge game for City who are on the hunt for the glorified treble – (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup titles). 

City are well set for another Premier League title, sitting back on top of the top-flight table, and looking stronger than ever – with only three PL games left, a FA Cup final against Manchester United (3 June) and Champions League games against Real Madrid (9 May, 17 May). 

To get to the CL final in Istanbul, they will need to win against the defending Champions. It won’t be an easy task as Carlo Ancelotti’s serial winners back in the last four and likely to provide a stern test.

Real Madrid’s league hopes are over, and can fully focus on this two-legged affairs, whilst City have Premier League games peppered in between. 

When is Real Madrid vs Manchester City?

Real Madrid vs Manchester City is due to kick off at 8 pm BST on Tuesday 9 May at the Bernabeu in Madrid.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first leg live on BT Sport 1, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via the BT Sport app or online player.

Team news

Real Madrid are dealing with a couple of defensive issues, with Eder Militao suspended for this fixture and Ferland Mendy still battling a calf injury. Luka Modric should, however, be fit to start after overcoming his hamstring issue to feature in the Copa del Rey win on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting Manchester City side against Leeds in a timely boost for Pep Guardiola, though Nathan Ake’s second-half substitution during that encounter is cause for concern. The Dutch defender’s hamstring injury could rule him out.

Predicted line-ups

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.

Odds

Real Madrid win 9/4

Draw 47/17

Manchester City win 5/4

WTX Sport Prediction

We’re backing Pep all the way on this, City are incredible and a treble feels near. 

Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid