Real Madrid will welcome Manchester City to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night for a blockbuster Champions League round of 16 clash.
After failing to secure a top-eight finish during the league phase, 15-time winners Real Madrid were forced to navigate a playoff tie with Benfica – a hurdle they cleared with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Closer to home, Los Blancos needed a last-gasp winner to edge past Celta Vigo 2-1 on Friday night, which snapped a two-game losing run in La Liga.
The victory should have eased some of the pressure in the Spanish capital, although Alvaro Arbeloa’s men remain four points adrift of rivals Barcelona.
As for Manchester City, they were one of five English teams to finish inside the top eight of the league phase standings, with Pep Guardiola's side placing eighth.
Like their Spanish counterparts, City have also seen their domestic title hopes dented in recent weeks, most recently drawing 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest last midweek – a result that left them seven points adrift of Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand.
How the bookies view it: City to strike first
It’s not often you see Real Madrid priced as big as 13/5 to win at home, yet that’s exactly what bet365 is offering for Wednesday night.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are 19/20 favourites with the same firm, while a first-leg stalemate is available at 11/4.
Head to head: Duo evenly-matched
Real Madrid and Manchester City have faced off 16 times, with six wins apiece and five matches ending all square. The two sides have already met at this venue this season, with Manchester City earning a 2-1 win – a result that could give them a psychological edge heading into Wednesday night’s showdown.
Players to watch: Value with Vinicius?
With Real Madrid's star man Kylian Mbappe sidelined, more attacking responsibility will fall on Vinicius Junior, who looks good value at 6/5 to either score or assist with bet365. The Brazilian forward has already registered three goals and five assists in his 10 Champions League appearances this season.
Meanwhile, Matheus Nunes could be tasked with the thankless job of man-marking Vinicius, which makes Manchester City’s right-back an appealing option to commit two or more fouls at 11/8 on bet365.
Predicted line-ups
As already mentioned, Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday night due to a knee injury. Alongside him, Dani Ceballos, Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo are also sidelined, while Alvaro Carreras and David Alaba are doubts for this clash.
For Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic remain long-term absentees, while Rico Lewis is rated as doubtful.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler; G. Garcia, Vinicius Jr
Man City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Marmoush
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score alongside each team to receive a card offers an enticing 10/11 shot on bet365.
This combination proved profitable when the two sides met at the Bernabeu back in December.
It’s also worth noting that the same formula would have paid out during Real Madrid’s home leg of their playoff tie with Benfica last month.
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