Real Madrid v Man City betting tips: City in driving seat after thriller

The Premier League leaders raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from the irrepressible Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus in the first 11 minutes.

Real responded through the prolific Karim Benzema before Phil Foden and Vinicius Junior traded goals early in the second half.

Bernardo Silva gave City a two-goal advantage but Benzema scored a cheeky penalty – his 41st goal of the season in as many appearances – to cut the deficit once again.

Both sides spurned numerous other chances in a compelling and breathless clash that set the stage for a fascinating second leg.

More of the same in Spain?

A clean sheet in the second leg would guarantee City’s progress but there seems little chance of Pep Guardiola’s men suddenly sitting back and defending in numbers, even though they will be boosted by the return of Joao Cancelo after suspension.

Captain Fernandinho sees no reason to change approach, saying: “We are going to go there to try to win the game. We will try to play as we are playing so far.

“We will try to keep the ball as much as we can, try to create chances, try to hurt them as much as we can and obviously be a bit smarter, defend better and not concede any chances over there.

“They are a dangerous team. They have top players and in the meantime they can create chances and score goals, so you have to be careful all the time.”

That view was backed up by Guardiola, who said: “If we play the way we did in the second half against Real Madrid, we won’t be able to win.

“But if we play the way we did at periods we’ll be able to do it. We want to see ourselves in such an important setting as the Santiago Bernabeu. We want to be there to put on a good show.

This game right here is why we love Champions League football 😍

Passion on-and-off the pitch 💥

A different look at Man City vs Real Madrid…#NoFilterUCL pic.twitter.com/YVPEX1xQ3n

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2022

“That’s what I want to tell my players to do – don’t think about anything else, think about going to the Bernabeu and putting on a good show, which could give you a victory.

“When I became a footballer, then as a manager, when I went with Bayern Munich there, you have to be yourself and really be truly yourself otherwise you’ve got no option to win.”

That suggests goals should feature prominently in our Real Madrid v Man City betting tips and it is little wonder that both teams to score is priced at just 1/2 while over 3.5 goals is 7/5.

Another City win with goals at both ends is 12/5 while City are 6/1 to again score in the first 10 minutes.

Madrid have the edge in experience

Madrid have already dug deep to edge past Paris St Germain and Chelsea to reach the semi-finals and the Bernabeu is primed for another special night here.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had looked in danger of being blown away at times in Manchester but somehow escaped trailing by one goal.

“It is a defeat that leaves us alive in the second leg,” said the Italian. “We have to be better in our defensive aspect but I believe we are able to create problems for them also. Similar game? It’s really difficult to have and to see this open game as it was tonight. It will be a different game.

“Of course Manchester City has the advantage, we have to consider this. Not a big advantage. We hope that our supporters can help us to play better and try to go to the final.”

The first goal could prove decisive and Madrid are 27/20 to get it while they are 14/1 to show even more resilience and come from behind to win the second leg.

Looking at the #YourCall options for Real Madrid v Man City betting tips, both teams to score, over 2.5 goals and either team to win catches the eye at 6/5.

Real to avoid defeat in the second leg, both teams to score in the second half and over 2.5 goals is another option at 4/1 in what should be a cracker.

Real Madrid v Man City team news

Real are without key defender David Alaba through injury but the influential Casemiro is fit to feature in midfield.

Casemiro’s availability, having only been fit enough for the bench last week, gives Ancelotti a selection poser over whether or not to retain the in-form Rodrygo, who has scored four goals in his last five games.

Rodrygo took Casemiro’s place last week but moved into an advanced position alongside Vinicius and Benzema, with Federico Valverde dropping into midfield.

City could have Kyle Walker back in action. The defender, who has been absent for the last five matches while recovering from an ankle issue, has trained and was due to travel with the squad to Spain, with a late decision to be made.

John Stones remains sidelined after coming off in the first half of the first leg while Joao Cancelo, suspended for that match, is available.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication