Football fans around the world are bracing for a thriller match between the winners of the 2023 and 2024 UEFA Champions League.
Manchester City will host Real Madrid on February 11 in the first leg of knockout phase play-offs. The second leg is scheduled for eight days later in the Spanish capital of Madrid.
The overall winner of the two matches will make it to the next stage of the competition where they will face either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
Both teams have shown impressive performances in recent games, with Real Madrid currently leading the La Liga table and Manchester City aiming to climb the Premier League standings. Those interested in placing bets on the outcome of this exciting match can read our comprehensive BetWright Review to find the best betting options and insights.
This is not the first time that the Spanish and English giants lock horns. Their encounters in the European league in the past few years had memorized many football bans in front of screens.
According to UEFA Champions League website, the two teams have played 12 matches against each other. Man City have won four and Real Madrid three, with five matches also ending in draw.
Their latest encounter goes back to last April in the quarter finals of the Champions League where Carlo Ancelotti's side emerged victorious in penalties. Their match ended 1-1 in Manchester and 3-3 in Madrid, which show how eye-catching their encounters can be in the upcoming weeks.
Their victory came just a year after the Blues crashed Los Blancos 5-1 on aggregate in the semi-final of the 2022/23 season.
Key players
Both Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola have talented players in the squad which can change the result at any moment. Let's take a deeper dive.
Vinicius Jr: The Brazilian forward has been in sensational form this season, consistently scoring and assisting.
Kylian Mbappe: The French star, who recently joined from PSG, has already made a significant impact. He managed to register his first hat trick for the Los Blancos last month.
Luka Modric: The experienced midfielder continues to be a crucial playmaker for the team whose creativity and pass accuracy can be a nightmare for defenders and goalkeepers alike.
Erling Haaland: The Norwegian striker has been a goal-scoring machine, netting 19 goals in the Premier League so far.
Kevin De Bruyne: The Belgian midfielder is the heartbeat of the team, known for his exceptional vision and passing.
Phil Foden: The young English talent has been impressive, contributing both goals and assists.
Status in domestic leagues
The two teams have different status in their home countries though this season as Man City is going through a crisis.
Real Madrid is currently leading La Liga, holding the top position with 49 points from 22 matches. They have secured 15 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses, boasting a goal difference of +29.
In the Premier League, Manchester City is in 5th place with 41 points after 24 matches. The team has achieved 12 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal difference of +13. The Blues results come as Pep Guardiola has been reportedly struggling personally after his split with his wife, Cristina Serra.
For the Tuesday match, both teams have injured players. Real Madrid is dealing with injuries to key defenders such as Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, and David Alaba. City is without Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Nathan Ake, and Ruben Dias.
