Champions League: Manchester City v Real Madrid preview

A look ahead to this week’s Champions League fixture at the City of Manchester Stadium

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo (GETTY IMAGES)

City are facing the prospect of being knocked out of the competition in the group stage for the second successive season.

Mancini’s men must turn over Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid tonight in order to stand any chance of advancing from the so-called Group of Death. The group features the respective league champions from Germany, Spain, Netherlands and England, and currently sees the former clubs, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, occupying the qualification positions.

As well as qualification, the Italian will have revenge over his Portuguese counterpart on his mind, following the 3-2 thriller at the Bernabéu in September from which Los Blancos emerged victorious.

KICK OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Real Madrid 3 (Marcelo, Benzema, Ronaldo) Manchester City 2 (Dzeko, Kolarov), Champions League, Group Stage, September 2012

STATS…

Jose Mourinho will take charge in his 100th Champions League match tonight, while the match represents Mancini’s 51st game in the competition.

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 19 European home games since losing 1-0 to FC Midtjylland in qualifying for the 2008/09 Uefa Cup.

Real Madrid have let fly with the most shots in this year’s Champions League (92), and City have conceded more shots on target than any other team in the competition.

ODDS…

Manchester City to win: 3.3

Real Madrid to win: 2.24

Draw: 3.85

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 7:45pm, highlights on Sky Sports 2 at 10pm