The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 has arrived as Man City will travel to Spain to take on Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Madrid disposed of Benfica in the playoff round to advance, while Man City automatically qualified for this stage of the tournament after finishing eighth in the League Phase.
Man City are +100 favorites on the moneyline, while a draw is available at +285. Fancy a Real Madrid upset? They are +240 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Real Madrid vs. Man City Prediction, Pick
The standout matchup of the Round of 16 is undoubtedly Real Madrid facing off against Man City once again. These teams are more than familiar with one another, as they will face off in the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the fifth consecutive season. On top of that, they played each other in the League Phase of this year’s competition, with Man City coming out 2-1 victors.
Let’s go through some of the recent knockout results.
Last season, these teams faced off in the playoff round. Real Madrid won both legs, advancing 6-3 on aggregate. In the 2023/24 quarter-finals, it took a penalty shootout to separate the teams, with Real Madrid advancing. In 2022/23, it was Man City who advanced in the semi-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win. In 2021/22, Real Madrid narrowly advanced in the semi-finals.
In three of the last four knockout matchups Real Madrid have advanced, and they did not lose at the Bernabéu in all four of those knockout rounds.
While Man City might be the more in-form team, we all know that Real Madrid step up their game in the knockout stages of the Champions League. I am surprised they are this big of an underdog, and although they might not advance, I think they are more than capable of winning the first leg.
In five home Champions League games this season, Real Madrid have won four times. In four away games for Man City, they won two, drew one and lost one. Only a single point separated these teams in the UCL League Phase table as City finished eighth while Madrid finished just outside automatic qualification in ninth.
This should be yet another closely contested, entertaining matchup between these teams. History says Real Madrid will likely win the first leg, and I agree.
