In-depth Analysis
Man City is showing extremely impressive form. They are on an 11-match unbeaten run, with 9 wins and 2 draws. In their most recent FA Cup match, Pep Guardiola’s side secured a place in the quarter-finals after a 3-1 victory over Newcastle. Riding this wave of confidence, the Sky Blues are expected to travel to the Bernabeu full of self-assurance.
Guardiola’s team is no stranger to the Bernabeu. In the first leg of this season’s UEFA Champions League knockout stage, Man City traveled to Madrid and came from behind to win 2-1. Real Madrid initially took the lead through Rodrygo, but Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland struck in succession to secure victory for Man City.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has had a rather inconsistent season. Following the departure of coach Xabi Alonso, hopes were high that Alvaro Arbeloa would stabilize the team, but the White House still shows fluctuating performances. In their most recent home match, they even lost 0-1 to city rivals Getafe.
The biggest issue for Real Madrid now is their squad. The capital club is facing an injury crisis and may likely be without striker Kylian Mbappe for the upcoming clash against Man City. His absence would be a major blow, as the French star is a key attacking player and contributes half of the team’s offensive power.
Overall, despite having home advantage, Real Madrid is not highly rated for this match. It is entirely possible they could suffer defeat at the Bernabeu, especially with most of their defensive mainstays struggling with fitness or still recovering from injuries.