Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Betting tips and predictions

Imago Real Madrid's Luka Modric will be tasked with dictating the pace of the game against Manchester City on Tuesday night — *Imago* Real Madrid's Luka Modric will be tasked with dictating the pace of the game against Manchester City on Tuesday night

Manchester City state of play

Manchester City sneaked into the play-offs thanks to a nervy 3-1 victory against Club Brugge in their final game of the league phase.

The reward? Pep Guardiola's team have been paired with Real Madrid in the knockout stage for the fourth season in a row and must emerge victorious over two legs if they are to progress.

Check out the best UK bookmakers to claim free bets worth up to £850!

A 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League earlier this month exposed City’s flaws and they remain a long way from their imperious best. Guardiola also had to send on several big guns to see off Leyton Orient in the FA Cup on Saturday.

This is clearly the glamour tie of the round, which includes seven more matches we’ve analysed in our full breakdown of Champions League betting tips.

Real Madrid state of play

The Champions League holders missed out on automatic progression to the last 16 by a single point as three defeats in the league phase proved costly.

A treble remains a possibility as Kylian Mbappe's second-half goal rescued a point against rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday to keep Carlo Ancelotti's side top of La Liga.

However, they head to Manchester without a string of defenders, as Lucas Vazquez suffered a hamstring injury against Atletico to join Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on the sidelines.

Key talking point: Can either defence keep it tight?

Shutting out the opposition has been one of City's issues in recent months as they have kept just four clean sheets in their last 23 games.

A disrupted backline has hardly helped. But Rodri's absence from the team through injury has left a gaping hole in midfield. And it's not too difficult to envisage the likes of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo finding plenty of space to inflict maximum damage.

While City have lacked their attacking swagger of recent years, they remain a potent beast in the final third and the prospect of facing a decimated Real defence should have Erling Haaland licking his lips.

Just like City, Real are struggling to keep clean sheets - they have conceded in seven of their last 10 outings - so the two sides will probably see attack as the best form of defence.

FIRST’s top tip for Manchester City vs Real Madrid

Both teams to score & total goals 2.5: Yes & over 2.5 goals - 7/10 (Betway)

The sheer array of attacking talent on the pitch means defensive vulnerabilities should be exploited. The selection would have landed in five of the eight previous meetings between the two clubs.

Extra tips

Anytime Goalscorer - Erling Haaland - 107/100 (Mr.Play)

City's hotshot has six goals in his last seven appearances and should be bullying a makeshift defence.

Anytime Goalscorer - Rodrygo - 16/5 (Betway)

Los Blancos' Brazilian forward has scored seven times in 2025 and netted in both of last season's fixtures against City.

Team news

Ederson could be back in goal for City, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and new signing Nico Gonzalez are major doubts, while Rodri is a long-term absentee.

Alaba, Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger and Vazquez are unavailable for Real Madrid so Federico Valverde is likely to start at right-back and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni should continue at centre-back.