There is no doubt where much of the attention will be this week as Manchester City meet Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on the 17th of May.
The game will be played at the Etihad Stadium and the tie is nicely poised at 1-1 following the first leg in the Spanish capital last week.
2️⃣2️⃣ games unbeaten in all competitions! 🔥💪 pic.twitter.com/wn8EcEpjrC— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2023
2️⃣2️⃣ games unbeaten in all competitions! 🔥💪 pic.twitter.com/wn8EcEpjrC
Manchester City come into the match on the back of a good 3-0 win at Everton as they close in on the Premier League title. Everton made Manchester City work hard in the opening 30 minutes but they made the breakthrough in the 37th minute and quickly stamped their authority on the game with a second goal just 2 minutes later.
Having scored a third goal early in the second half, Manchester City were in complete control for the remainder of the match.
The win at Everton means Manchester City are undefeated in their last 22 fixtures in all competitions. They have won 18 of those 22 games and have won each of their last 15 matches at home.
In terms of the Champions League, Manchester City are undefeated in their 11 most recent home matches. They have won each of their last 7 home Champions League games and have scored 2 or more goals in each of their last 6 home matches in the competition.
Real Madrid travel to the Etihad Stadium having beat Getafe 1-0 at home in La Liga on the weekend. The only goal of the game was scored in the 70th minute for a Real Madrid team that included several changes to the starting XI from the first leg against Manchester City.
The win over Getafe means Real Madrid are undefeated in 8 of their 10 most recent fixtures in all competitions. They have won 7 of their last 10 games but have lost each of their last 2 away matches, both of which were played in La Liga.
Focusing on the Champions League and Real Madrid are undefeated in each of their last 6 matches. They are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 away Champions League games, including wins at Celtic, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Trends show Real Madrid have scored 2 or more goals in 6 of their last 7 Champions League away trips.
Team news and Manchester City are without injured defender Nathan Aké. He is the only player expected to be absent for the hosts.
Real Madrid rested many of their first choice XI on the weekend and they should be at full strength for this game.
We expect to see plenty of goals in what should be a tremendous match to watch. Both Manchester City and Real Madrid have been scoring for fun home and away respectively in the Champions League recently.
However, it is difficult to split the teams and this game could end level, with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals. That result would mean extra time and possibly penalties.