For the fourth season succession, these two clubs go head-to-head. Real Madrid beat Man City en route to the trophy in 2022 and last season, while the Sky Blues did the same in 2023.
Los Blancos have never won any of their six previous visits to the Etihad, albeit they did prevail via a penalty shootout last April, following a 1-1 draw.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Preview
Between them, these two clubs have won the last three Champions League trophies, while seven of the previous nine finals have featured one or the other.
After both endured underwhelming results in the league phase, one genuine candidate to win the competition again will fall in the first knockout round.
Manchester City were very nearly embarrassingly eliminated in the league phase. They were 1-0 down at home to Club Brugge on matchday eight, in a must-win game, only for three second-half goals to see them sneak into 22nd place.
Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola's side have so far only managed to beat Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Prague and Brugge in Europe, losing each of their last three on the continental road. Then, it is sugested they're unlikely to reach an eighth consecutive Champions League quarter-final.
The Citizens are fifth in the Premier League, which would represent their lowest finish since 2010, having been hammered 5-1 by Arsenal during their most recent league outing.
Then, at the weekend, the Sky Blues were on course to ignominiously crash out the FA Cup at third-tier Leyton Orient, again 1-0 down at halftime at Brisbane Road, only for goals from Abdukodir Khusanov, and Kevin De Bruyne to spare their blushes.
Nevertheless, having lost 11 matches already across all competitions, this is not the all-conquering Man City of recent times, but can a huge tie against the reigning European champions spark their season into life?
Real Madrid, despite winning the Champions League in six of the last 11 seasons, is far from impenetrable either.
Los Blancos finished 11th in the league phase, four points above their hosts, but were beaten three times. They were defeated by Lille in Northern France, Liverpool at Anfield and when AC Milan in their own back-yard.
That said, they have won their three most recent fixtures in this tournament. Nevertheless, the accusation against Carlo Ancelotti's team right now is that they don't perform in big games; demolished 4-0 by Barcelona at home in La Liga's Clásico in October, before the Catalan giants steamrollered them 5-2 in last month's Supercopa de España Final too.
At the weekend, Kylian Mbappé's equaliser shortly after halftime saw los Merengues hold Atlético Madrid to a 1-1 draw in el Derbi Madrileño, meaning they remain top of the table, but just a point ahead of Atleti and only two clear of Barça.
Defeat in this tie would condemn Real Madrid to their earliest Champions League exit in 62 years, a prospect they'll consider not even worth contemplating. So, will the holders leave the Etihad in an advantageous position ahead of the second leg at the Bernabéu in eight night's time?
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 12.
- Manchester City Wins: 4. Draws: 4. Real Madrid Wins: 4.
Manchester City Team News
Nathan Aké, Rodri, Oscar Bobb and Jérémy Doku are injured, while Vitor Reis was not included in the UEFA squad, as only three January signings are eligible to be added.
Fellow-new recruit Nico González is, but hobbled off just 20 minutes into his debut at Leyton Orient, although he is expected to recover in time to make his home debut.
Goalkeeper Ederson has missed the last two matches and it's yet unknown if he will return, or if Stefan Ortega will continue to deputise.
None of Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić nor Erling Braut Håland travelled to East London on Saturday, but all will be back in for this one, with Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden all hopeful of returning to the lineup too. Rúben Dias will miss the second leg if booked.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid: (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Akanji, Rúben Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Kovačić, Nico, Silva, Foden, Marmoush; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Real Madrid
Erling Braut Håland scored six times in the league phase, taking his tally to 47 goals in 47 Champions League appearances, netting every 80 minutes on average. He has found the target against 17 different opponents in Europe's premier competition, but has never scored against Real Madrid in four attempts, so can he change that on Tuesday?
Real Madrid Team News
This'll give Man City supporters hope; Real Madrid are currently enduring a major defensive injury crisis.
Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Éder Militão and now Lucas Vázquez are all sidelined, the latter hobbling off at the weekend, meaning Carlo Ancelotti is without a senior centre-back or right-back.
Given this emergency, Fede Valverde will fill-in on the right with midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and youngster Raúl Asencio, who made his senior debut as recently as November, in the middle, as was the case for Saturday's derby.
Ironically, at left-back, they do have options, with Fran García having seemingly usurped Ferland Mendy in the pecking order.
Thus, with two midfielders required at the back, Dani Ceballos will keep his place, likely to be partnered by Eduardo Camavinga, chosen over Luka Modrić, considering this duo is required to cover a lot of ground.
Jude Bellingham, Camavinga, Modrić, Tchouaméni and Endrick are all one caution away from a suspension, something this already depleted squad can ill-afford.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-3-3): Courtois, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Alaba, Mendy; Ceballos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius, Mbappé.
Real Madrid Player to Watch vs Manchester City
Kylian Mbappé bagged his 22nd goal of the season against Atleti at the weekend, 13 of which have come since 1 December, while he has 51 Champions League goals to his name, only seven men in history can boast more, three of which have come against Man City, on target during both of his previous visits to the Etihad.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Prediction
The last six encounters between these two clubs have produced 25 goals, that's a goal scored every 24 minutes on average, and this rematch will be no different. Thus, we're forecasting a high-scoring draw that tees the tie up nicely for next Wednesday's return leg: Manchester City 2-2 Real Madrid.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid FAQs - Champions League
How to watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League game on TV channel?
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Paramount+, TUDN USA & UniMás
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League game on live streaming?
Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Paramount+, TUDN USA & UniMás.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester City vs Real Madrid in the Champions League?
Manchester City vs Real Madrid takes place on Tuesday 11 February 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).