Both teams would have thought at the start of the campaign they’d be breezing towards the semi-finals at least. Not so. Real Madrid versus Manchester City on Wednesday night will see one of them eliminated before the last 16 stage.
Advantage Real – Or Is It?
In a battling affair, Real came away from the Etihad as 3-2 winners and hold the advantage. These two however have the look of teams who will simply go at it regardless of venue, so I wouldn’t look too much into Real’s ‘home advantage’ and at odds-on they are bad value.
Jude Bellingham is available to play in this tie after being sent off in La Liga, though there are injuries at Real. Things have been a little chaotic at Man City too so there’s not the settled look about these teams you’d usually expect. They were also both way below expectations in the group stages.
Man City looked to have got their mojo back with a 4-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend. In truth, the Toon made it way to easy for them but that was good prep, and they are stepping back up a gear now.
The Bellingham Effect
This game could once again be about Jude Bellingham, but his stamp on it may be negative. He’s a fine player and scored the winner in the first leg but made the headlines for the wrong reasons again a few days ago.
So Jude Bellingham got a red card for saying “I’m talking to you with respect, fuck off” 🤡 pic.twitter.com/dWlXzilhIX
— Kay | Snapchat & IG Ads (@KayRMFC) February 15, 2025
He most definitely has an attitude problem, that’s clear, but it is young and hopefully it won’t last forever.
Bellingham appeared to want to referee games at the Euros, increasing his own importance, and was seemingly disliked from the off by officials in Spain.
His latest spat sees him suspended in La Liga, but he could be in even deeper trouble. He’s free to play here, but he seems the type to dig his feet in after criticism, stick to his guns and continue to be pugnacious in his play and with his mouth. Bellingham being carded at some point could be a decent bet, but it’s not guaranteed.
His sending off at the weekend could be felt badly now. He is available, but his teammates had to play out their draw at Osasuna with ten men for more than half the game. They may really feel the effects of that effort against a side that likes to pop the ball around and keep possession.
Goals and Cards Offer Some Value
Man City go to the Bernabeu with a chance. Ordinarily, 10/11 would look good for Real at home but we cannot take odds-on for the straight up win this time.
Cards could be the way to go here given the nature of both these teams. Over 4.5 looks more than possible. Both teams to score is another likely outcome, putting them together gives us a minimum 6/4 bet.
Bet: Back both teams to score and over 4.5 cards (6/4) and both teams to score and over 5.5 cards (5/1).