Real Madrid vs Man City tips and predictions: Bank on goals at the Bernabeu

Real Madrid state of play 

The Champions League specialists ended their Etihad Stadium hoodoo with a dramatic turnaround last week, putting Los Blancos firmly in the driving seat heading back to the Bernabeu. This was their first win inside 90 minutes on Manchester City’s patch in seven attempts. Hats off to Carlo Ancelotti’s half-time team talk.

On the whole, it was thoroughly deserved. The visitors had almost double the amount of shots compared to Manchester City (20-11), and created six big chances compared to Manchester City’s two, while in the end more than justified their 3.30 xG.

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Defending a one-goal lead can always be difficult in a second leg, but Real Madrid haven’t lost at home in 2025. However, their last Bernabeu defeat came against AC Milan in this very competition.

If you’d like to read more of this week’s Champions League betting tips then we’ve got you sorted with our quick-fire guide to all eight fixtures this midweek. 

Manchester City state of play 

Manchester City will look at that performance the Italian giants produced and hope to replicate a similar result - and why not?

Pep Guardiola will be the first to admit his team haven’t performed to their usual standards this season, but their 4-0 victory over Newcastle at the weekend was mightily impressive.

Confidence clearly hasn’t taken a hit, and Omar Marmoush’s first-half hat-trick gives Real Madrid another player to worry about on Wednesday evening.

Recent performances and results have been a step in the right direction - especially in the latter stages of the Champions League - and having scored in their last four visits to the Bernabeu, travelling fans will be cautiously optimistic their stoppage time collapse can be reversed.

Key talking point: Who’s going to write their own headlines?

Both Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior will be popular picks to score on the night. The Norwegian forward scored a brace in the first leg and while the Brazilian could only manage to hit the crossbar, he’s scored seven Champions League goals in as many games this campaign.

Vinicius Junior has scored in his last three Champions League matches, including a brace vs Red Bull Salzburg and a hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu - and he also found the back of the net against Manchester City in 2023. Priced at 5/4 to score anytime, only Kylian Mbappe is shorter for the hosts.

And he could be one of many goalscorers on the night. Four of Manchester City’s last five away matches have produced over 3.5 goals, while they’ve only managed one clean sheet against Ipswich.

Real Madrid have scored 18 goals across all competitions from their last five games at home, who also put three past Manchester City the last time they locked horns in Spain.

FIRST’s top tip for Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Over 3.5 goals at 31/40 (Betway)

A fixture known for producing goals, both teams head into this Champions League clash scoring plenty but failing to keep clean sheets. The neutral should be in for a treat. 

Extra tips 

As mentioned, Vinicius Junior has been prolific in this competition - especially at home - and the Brazilian is one of the bookmakers bankers to score anytime on the night. Can he make it eight goals in as many matches? 

City’s vulnerable defence isn’t to be trusted, and chasing the game could open up gaps the Real Madrid player can look to exploit.

Vinicius Jr to score anytime 5/4 (Betway)

Team news 

Real Madrid’s big name defenders - David Alaba, Eder Militao, Daniel Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger - remain long-term absences for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Still, they’ve coped for the vast majority of the season and picked up no fresh injuries in their 1-1 draw against Osasuna.

Manchester City are likely to head into this clash without Jack Grealish, who came off injured in the first leg after 30 minutes and missed the trip to Newcastle at the weekend. Manuel Akanji is also expected to be out for up to 10 weeks after picking up an injury in the first leg.

Erling Haaland will be hoping to become the youngest player in Champions League history to score 50 goals - at present, he’s just one away.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City predicted line-ups 

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Bellingham, Camavinga, Ceballos; Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Mbappe (4-3-3).

Manchester City: Ederson; Khusanov, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Stones, De Bruyne; Savinho, Silva, Foden; Haaland (4-2-3-1) 

Form guide (all competitions)

Real Madrid: WWWWWLWDWD

Manchester City: WDWLWWLWLW

Odds correct at the time of writing.