Manchester City

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered an unexpected and heavy defeat in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. City were outplayed by Real Madrid throughout, and at no point were they able to create clear-cut chances against Courtois’s goal. On this occasion, they will need to rely on the magic of the Etihad Stadium to stage a comeback that would go down in history.

Changes are expected in the Catalan manager’s line-up. A week ago in Madrid, they failed to control the midfield and lacked clarity in the final third and decisiveness in both penalty areas. As such, players such as Reinders or Cherki are likely to feature. It will be crucial to score early and for players like Haaland to have their best night to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Manchester City players injured for the Champions League round of 16

Gvardiol and Kovacic

Manchester City players suspended for the Champions League round of 16

Manchester City have no suspended players for this match.

Manchester City’s latest results

• Leeds United 0-1 Manchester City
• Manchester City 2-2 Nottingham Forest
• Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City
• Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City
• West Ham 1-1 Manchester City

Real Madrid

Real Madrid, for their part, played their best match of the season in the first leg of the round of 16. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side are aware that much of their season hinges on the Champions League, given that in La Liga they are not in control of their own destiny to win the title and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-tier side Albacete. They have this tie well under control.

But that does not mean their place among Europe’s top eight teams is a foregone conclusion. The Whites know there will be moments when they will struggle, as the quality of Manchester City’s players can unsettle any defensive line-up. Despite this, if they remain solid at the back, they will have a strong chance of progressing. The big question mark is Mbappé, who may be able to play for a few minutes.

Real Madrid players injured for the Champions League round of 16

Rodrygo, Bellingham, Alaba, Militao, Ceballos and Álvaro Carreras

Real Madrid players suspended for the Champions League round of 16

Real Madrid have no suspended players for this match.

Real Madrid’s latest results

• Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica
• Real Madrid 0-1 Getafe
• Celta de Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid
• Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City
• Real Madrid 4-1 Elche

Manchester City - Real Madrid: statistics

Manchester City have been very strong at the Etihad Stadium, as their home record shows. They have suffered just two defeats and three draws all season.

Real Madrid, for their part, have been very inconsistent away from home. In their last ten away games, they have won five and lost five. That said, they have only lost one match by a three-goal margin all season.

Manchester City - Real Madrid: predictions

We expect a match in which Arbeloa’s side will cede the initiative to Manchester City and look to create danger on the counter-attack. Pep Guardiola’s side have no choice but to go for the game from the first minute and take risks. The English side will relentlessly seek the opposition’s goal, and Manchester City are favourites to win the match. However, it would be a surprise if Real Madrid failed to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals.