Real Madrid vs Man City preview: Team news, predictions & possible XIs

Manchester City head to Real Madrid this week as they step up preparations for a huge Champions League double-header against Zinedine Zidane's side.

Los Blancos have seen Barcelona overtake them at the top of La Liga following a draw and defeat in their last two games and Man City will be looking to take advantage.

Pep Guardiola will be well aware of how important the Champions League is to Many City after it was announced they are facing a ban from the competition for the next two years.

Can they pull out all the stops and gain victory on Spanish soil? Check out our preview, predictions & possible line-ups ahead of the big game:

When is Real Madrid vs Man City?

Competition: Champions League

Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid

Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Kick-off: 9:00 PM (CET)

Last four meetings: Real Madrid v Man City

18 September 2012: Real Madrid 3-2 Man City (Champions League)

21 November 2012: Man City 1-1 Real Madrid (Champions League)

26 April 2016: Man City 0-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)

04 May 2016: Real Madrid 1-0 Man City (Champions League)

Aggregate Score: Real Madrid (WDDW) 5-3 Man City (LDDL)

Ones to watch

Real Madrid: Casemiro

His tenacity in the centre of the pitch allows others the freedom to roam and create chances. The 28-year-old has netted four times during the campaign so far, including one in the Champions League.

Key stat: Casemiro has made 79 successful tackles in La Liga this season for Real Madrid, at least 32 more than any other Los Blancos player.

Man City: Kevin de Bruyne

Kevin de Bruyne remains Man City's most influential player and has the hopes of the club resting on his shoulders. He will be desperate to win the Champions League, especially with a ban lingering on the horizon.

The playmaker will be pulling the strings hoping to create opportunities for Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero.

Key stat: No player has created more chances in the English top-flight than Man City's Kevin de Bruyne (96).

Team news

Real Madrid

The big injury news for Madrid regards the loss of Eden Hazard. The Belgian international could miss the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured ankle against Levante.

His loss may gave Vinícius Júnior a chance to keep his place in the side and compliment Karim Benzema in attack. Marco Asensio is building on his fitness while Gareth Bale remains a doubt given his recent illness.

Predicted XI: Courtois: Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Isco, Casemiro, Kroos; Vinícius Júnior, Benzema.

Man City

Guardiola could be without two key players for the trip to Madrid on Wednesday. Raheem Sterling, arguably Man City's best player this season, remains a doubt due to a hamstring injury while Leroy Sane who is still battling to return to fitness.

This means Riyad Mahrez is expected to keep his place in the side, forming a deadly front three with Agüero and Bernardo Silva. Aymeric Laporte's fitness is significant given the lack of defensive options at Guardiola's disposal.

Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gündogan; Mahrez, Agüero, B. Silva.

Prediction

Zidane will be hoping to return to Manchester with an advantage and the La Liga side know Man City are vulnerable at the back, but the loss of Hazard could prove key in the battle for chance creation.

Man City have their own injury problems but in De Bruyne they have a man capable of making the difference on a big occasion. This will be a game Man City will not want to lose – especially with a ban hanging over their heads – which makes an extended run in this season's competition even more important.

Scoreline prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Man City