Man City vs Real Madrid Bet Builder Tips: 66/1 shout for goalfest at the Etihad

Oh boy, oh boy. One of the biggest games of the football season takes place in Manchester on Wednesday night as Man City host 14-time European champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League (20:00, TNT Sports). With the tie level at 3-3 after a pulsating encounter in the Spanish capital, this second leg promises to be another humdinger as two giants of the game collide. 

I’ve tried to make some sense of it below, with these Man City vs Real Madrid Bet Builder Tips.

Phil Foden and Vinicius Jr to score

Manchester City are the favourites to qualify from this tie, but honestly, I’m steering well clear of any results picks. Real Madrid are just so good in Europe and they will relish this sort of game with an eye on revenge, having been blown away by City 12 months ago in the semi-finals. 

Instead, I’m backing what we know and love. Goals. Real Madrid are going to be without Aurélien Tchouaméni, who filled in at centre-back in the first leg. He’s going to be a big miss, and City could profit from his absence, but I’m still not set on backing Erling Haaland to score. Antonio Rudiger loves this type of challenge and prevented the Norwegian from scoring in the first leg, so instead I’m backing Phil Foden for City. 

The Englishman scored a wondergoal at the Bernabeu and should be able to get some shots off against this Madrid backline. He has scored five in seven Champions League matches, and has now scored 22 in all competitions this season. He’s an obvious pick from my perspective. 

Vinicius Jr is the man to back for the away side. He’s their star player, and his pace is going to cause City problems on the break, especially if Kyle Walker is not fit to return. He scored in the first leg, and has 18 goals in 30 appearances this term. 

Over 3.5 goals 

Goals please. I can’t see anything other than an open and expansive game unfolding at the Etihad, just as we saw last week. The quality of the finishing was exceptional, and with the quality on show, we should see more of the same. 

We are backing two goalscorers, but I’m pretty sure we will see over 3.5 goals as well, in 90 minutes.  In four of their last five meetings, this selection has come in, and with Madrid weakened defensively, I think we should be in for a treat on Wednesday night. 

Rodri and Dani Carvajal to be booked 

A couple of yellow cards can boost our odds massively, and in this heated encounter, I’m expecting the referee to dish out the cheddar. We’ll pick Rodri and Dani Carvajal to find their way into his notebook, with the Real Madrid right-back in for a tough night up against Jack Grealish. 

The Spaniard was booked in the first leg and is known for mouthing off to the referee, so I’m more than happy to back him to be booked. Meanwhile, Rodri is going to be in the centre of the action and could have to stop some Madrid counter-attacks. With nine yellows to his name already, I think he’s the obvious choice to be booked for the home side. 

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