Real Madrid welcomes Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabéu Wednesday for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we preview the Real Madrid vs. Manchester City odds and lines, and make our best Champions League bets, picks and predictions.
Real Madrid blasted the EPL-best Man City defense for 3 goals in the first leg. However its defense, which is among the best in La Liga, allowed 4 goals, and it now trails by 1 in aggregate. Liverpool awaits the winner.
The first leg was an instant classic with City owning 60% of the possession. It ended with 16 shots and 6 on target compared to Real’s 11 shots and 5 on target.
Real is led by F Karim Benzema who has 26 goals in 29 starts. He had 2 goals including a penalty kick in the first leg. Madrid is 5-4 on aggregate in its 2 knockout stage home matches.
City is coming in off a 4-0 win over Leeds United last weekend, resolidifying its lead in the EPL. M Kevin De Bruyne is the key player for City and 1 of 3 with 10-plus goals on the season.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City odds, lines, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:26 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Real Madrid +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Manchester City +112 (bet $100 to win $112) | Draw +290
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +115| U: -145)
[tipico]
Prediction
Real Madrid 1, Manchester City 1
Money line (ML)
LEAN DRAW +290.
City played PSG twice in the group stage and took on Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals. It lost to PSG 2-0 and also drew Atletico 0-0 on the road. In UEFA action, it hasn’t been as dominant away from Ethiad.
City is the better team, but Madrid showed some talent and pace in the first leg. They were still out-possessed. It’ll be tough for them to control this game, but after Leg 1, they proved they can at least compete.
In La Liga action, which is no comparison to EPL’s level, Real has lost just once in 17 games. Madrid is a strong side at home and should put up a fight, and the draw possesses the best value on the money line.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 3.5 (-145).
The teams combined for 7 goals in the first leg and it was not expected. They scored 7 goals on 11 combined shots on target. That’s a rarity.
It doesn’t help that they combined for just 4.1 expected goals. I gave out the under in the first leg, and I’ll go back to it here. City’s defense has given up just 21 goals in 34 games.
In all other knockout stage games (4 in total), City held its opponents scoreless. Madrid is the best offense they’ll face, but their defense, which should have D Kyle Walker active, will be better prepared.
Madrid has also allowed just .85 goals per game. With City a possession-heavy club behind its dominant midfield, it should be able to keep the ball and work it, especially up on aggregate.
Take the UNDER 3.5 (-145).
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