This is possibly the match-up of the season so far in Europe. The most successful team in the history of the Champions League take on Pep Guardiola’s Man City.
It is the ultimate rookie versus master scenario. I won’t say who…but one of these sides have never won this competition whilst the other has won it more times than any other!
It truly is the crème de la crème of Europe’s Champions League and we are all here for it!
To Win (90 mins)
Man City 5/10 | Draw 34/10 | Real Madrid 48/10
Manchester City
It is no secret that Manchester City has this competition penciled in as ‘high priority’. The club’s hierarchy assumedly brought Pep Guardiola in to accomplish this and so the pressures around this campaign and in particular this game, will be somewhat palpable.
City have been brilliant this season though, they have an incredible squad and a manager who is able to draw every ounce of effort from each player…but you already knew that. I must admit, covering fixtures that include Manchester City is always a welcomed challenge. We all know what they have and what they bring, lovers of football and purists of the game laud over their brilliance. However, from a betting perspective – the questions should be around how we can continue to make money when including City.
They have never been a side who are overly concerned by a defensive prowess or keeping opponents away from their 18-yard area by tucking in. It is the way in which they attack and squeeze for possession of the ball all over the pitch that secures their defensive line, albeit while attacking the goal.
Guardiola will be hopeful that he has a full complement of players available for selection when they welcome a club who enjoys the greatest association with this competition in Real Madrid. The Spanish giants will not sit back themselves and so the game will be either won or lost in midfield or through the inherent spaces that will begin to show should the encounter become stretched.
Real Madrid
Los Blancos have been a side who just continue to win on this stage. They haven’t always played the best football, and yet they win. They haven’t always been in the ascendency (be it within their group or in a particular tie – think Chelsea), and yet they win. It is said that ‘pedigree’ in European competition is often not considered and often underestimated – and yet it is often the difference in those tight fixtures.
Well, if that is the case, this should once again be a tasty little affair. City have met Madrid in similar circumstances and duly dispatched them…all of this while the former is yet to win this cup and the latter has seen nobody win it on more occasions.
There is something about Madrid this season though. They show heart and a fight which – dare it say it – has been absent from the Bernabeu in recent seasons. You then add a Karim Benzema who is currently scoring for fun and suddenly you have a football team with enough history, pedigree, quality, and mentality to beat anyone on their day.
The last time Real Madrid failed to score in a Champions League fixture was on the fifth of May 2021. This is Europe’s elite club competition, so it is not as though they are coming up against so-called ‘lesser’ sides. This is best Europe can offer!
So, when you consider the magnitude of the fixture, and the importance of getting off to a great start in the two-legged tie…from a betting perspective, is it necessary to find a winner first time out?
Prediction: Both Teams to Score: Yes (8/10)
Now this is a tip I give with all the confidence in the world. No, it’s not the riskiest thing I have written for our publication. No, its complexity does not live up to the build-up of the fixture. However, it is a bet I would add to every multiple and meal you have this week.
It should also allow us to build up a hefty account balance for when these two meet again in Madrid…
