Real Madrid vs Manchester City, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 09/04/2024
Calendar icon Updated 10 Apr 02:48

Real Madrid vs Manchester City, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 09/04/2024

Kai Edvard Iliev Kai Edvard Iliev

Odds via Tonybet

Real Madrid vs Manchester CityApril 9, 2024, 3:00 PM EDT
Real Madrid odds+179
Manchester City odds+146
Draw+260
Over\Under2.5 -135/+116

Real Madrid vs Manchester City. Shape of the Teams

The upcoming Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City is more than just a game; it’s a clash between tradition and modernity.

Since Pep Guardiola arrived in the Mancunian lands, he has significantly elevated Manchester City’s level, so much so that the UCL tie with Real Madrid is becoming a classic. 

The beauty is in the complete clash of cultures. Real Madrid and Florentino Perez represent a rich history and tradition as the old guard of European soccer. In contrast, Manchester City is an artificial club – backed by investors from the UAE – and more reliant on data and scouting. 

With Pep Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City has shown a marked increase in risk aversion, which has become only more evident with Jack Grealish’s cautious adaptation to the team’s playing style.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid has continued displaying various vulnerabilities, ranging from tactical weaknesses to defensive oversights. And yet, it’s precisely these imperfections that draw so many towards the Spanish club.

Interestingly enough, both teams have not lost a single game in the past ten matches, but unlike Manchester City, Real Madrid has had a longer rest period leading up to this game. Whether that will turn out to be a curse or a blessing will be answered on Tuesday.

The teams’ records are even across the past fixtures, but last year’s scandalous 4-0 victory by City in the semi-finals after a draw at the Bernabeu remains fresh in Madrid’s memory. However, the year before that, Madrid came out victorious and eventually won the tournament. 

Real Madrid vs Manchester City Match Info

Real Madrid vs Manchester City, Odds

The stakes for this Champions League showdown couldn’t be higher, which can be explained by what advancing to the semi-finals means for both teams. 

Real Madrid is advancing well in La Liga and is close to reclaiming the title from Barcelona. At the same time, the 4-0 drubbing in their last match against Manchester City still stings for Madrid, and they will be looking for a different approach coming into this game.  

In that humiliating 4-0, Madrid showed none of the traits it is known for and uncharacteristically wilted under City’s relentless pressure. Many still remember how Bernardo Silva thrived as a right-winger, outmaneuvering Camavinga, who played as a left-back. However, it is unlikely that we will see a repeat of that mismatch.

Madrid has undergone one major change since the previous match with the acquisition of Jude Bellingham. And although Bellingham is a powerful weapon, he won’t be able to solve the defensive issues Real Madrid has been facing. 

If anything seemed to be the issue last year, it was Madrid’s defence that seemed shaky and unreliable. This year, with the absence of key defenders, the main question is who should be starting: Nacho, known for his dedication and understanding of Madrid’s defensive playbook, or Tchouaméni, a midfielder by trade who has recently been adapted to a defensive role due to necessity? 

With neither choice presenting a clear advantage, who will Ancelotti trust to fortify the back line in this clash of titans? The approach should be different, but how remains a question for Ancelotti. 

Manchester City has also changed, bidding farewell to Gündogan. However, they have found a new formula that sees Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku as the absolute stars. Nobody could underestimate Foden’s brilliance, who has been Pep’s protege for years.

However, their defensive frailties have been exposed this season, which also explains why Pep Guardiola’s team is in a three-horse race for the Premier League title. This sharply contrasts with previous years, when Pep’s side often led the pack with a comfortable margin. 

Pep Guardiola has always prioritized the Premier League, but what will happen in the next weeks will reveal the Catalan’s true priorities.

Manchester City is likely to adopt a cautious approach in the away match against Real Madrid, similar to the team’s tactics in the past two seasons. Guardiola understands that an open game at the Santiago Bernabeu could result in a defeat, as Real Madrid’s players perform exceptionally well in open spaces.

Moreover, Manchester City’s ability to counter Real Madrid’s tactics is uncertain. Therefore, it is possible that City will play with a medium-low defensive block. 

Real Madrid must win this match as it will be challenging to do so at the Etihad. Bellingham will be a crucial player for Madrid in a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in the center. This will enable Real to create a numerical advantage over the opponent in the center (4v3).

The hosts will need to maximize their intensity to gain even a slight advantage over their opponents before the return leg.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City Betting Tip

With De Bruyne’s injuries and, more importantly, a less dominant role, Phil Foden has landed in the spotlight instead. For years, Pep Guardiola has been telling us about his potential and this season people are finally starting to understand why. 

Against Madrid, whether they position Nacho or Tchouaméni, City will likely probe the central areas, with Foden poised to exploit these vulnerabilities. The Englishman often confuses the opponent with his movements off the ball. 

However, it is unlikely that we will see a goal fest, as City will want to conserve energy for the second leg at the Etihad. A draw would be a great result, particularly with Guardiola’s emphasis on risk management.

Pep has always been obsessed with such details, and this approach has sometimes limited City’s goal-scoring, as seen in their recent draw against Arsenal.

If there’s one area Manchester City should be targeting, it is the center to unlock Foden’s potential, and the rest of the team will follow suit. With Liverpool’s failure at Old Trafford (2-2) last weekend, City have even more chances to fight for both titles.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.

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