Man City vs Real Madrid: UCL Semi-final, 2nd Leg Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Man City vs Real Madrid will battle it out for a spot in the Champions League final in a winner-takes-all second leg at the Etihad on Wednesday.

Match Details:

• Location: Manchester, England
• Stadium: Etihad Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 17 May
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
• VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)

Man City vs Real Madrid: Match Preview

A week after an intense square-off that ended 1-1, Real Madrid are all set to hit the road to once again square up against Manchester City. This time it is the second leg, and a spot in the Champions League final awaits either of the team.

The Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid played host to the first leg between the two teams. It was a high-voltage end-to-end match that ended in a draw courtesy of two absolutely stunning goals. Vinicius Junior gave Madrid the lead with a banger from outside the box, and Kevin De Bruyne levelled things up with an even better strike.

Now, it is time for the second leg at the Etihad. And an in-form Manchester City are all set to host the defending champions, Real Madrid. City have been unbeaten in their last 22 matches in all competitions. They have won 18 out of those fixtures.

As far as the league goes, they have a four-point advantage at the top of the table with a game in hand. They are likely to win the league without much struggle from here on. And, Pep Guardiola's men will also be involved FA Cup final against Manchester United.

City can end up winning the treble in the ongoing season. But, for the hopes of a treble to be kept alive, they will have to defeat a Madrid outfit that had knocked them out of the UCL last season. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have already won the Copa del Rey. But, as far as the league is concerned, they have been well beaten by Barcelona, who recently managed to claim their 27th La Liga title.

While they have already claimed a title in the ongoing season, they are desperate to win the UCL again. Because without the Champions League, it might not be considered a successful season. And, Carlo Ancelotti's job depends on how his team does in the biggest European competition.

The disappointment of losing the league would surely motivate the players to push the extra mile in the Champions League. And, they would be hoping to pull off a stunning win at the Etihad Stadium. 

Team News:

Man City:

Nathan Ake has been nursing a hamstring injury but was given a late fitness test before the weekend's win over Everton. The Dutch defender didn't play, perhaps to avoid unnecessary risk, but Pep Guardiola insisted he was feeling 'much better'.

Otherwise, there are no concerns for Guardiola, who rested Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and John Stones against Everton with this game in mind.

Real Madrid:

Makeshift left-back Eduardo Camavinga limped off at the weekend but Carlo Ancelotti stressed that the Frenchman's knock was 'nothing', so expect him to feature heavily once again. Reports have suggested he could return to midfield for this one.

Eder Militao is back from a European suspension and will waltz straight into the starting lineup, while Dani Carvajal can start again after missing the last La Liga game through a ban.

Man City vs Real Madrid: Head to Head

Real Madrid and Manchester City are on an even footing as far as the head-to-head record is concerned and have won four games apiece out of the 11 matches that have been played between the two teams.

Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have lost only one of their last five matches against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and have won three of these games.

Real Madrid are winless in their last four matches away from home against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League and have lost each of their last two such games.

Real Madrid have won their last two away games in knock-out matches against English opponents in the UEFA Champions League, securing victories against Chelsea and Liverpool this season.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 25 home games in the UEFA Champions League, with their previous such defeat coming at the hands of Lyon in 2018.

Predicted Line-ups:

Man City predicted lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanjil; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland.

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.

IM vs ACM: Fantasy XI

Courtois, Walker, Dias,Militao, Rudiger,Kroos, Camavinga, De Bruyne, Benzema, Vinicius, Haaland.