Real Madrid vs. Man City Predictions: Casemiro card makes up 15/2 bet builder

Live on BT Sports, Real Madrid host Manchester City in this massive Champions League semifinal 2nd leg at the Bernabeu Stadium this Wednesday. The visitors edged an entertaining clash at the Etihad Stadium which ended 4-3 in their favour but will be aware of Real Madrid’s capability of pulling off comebacks on big European nights at the Bernabeu. The hosts wrapped up the La Liga title at the weekend after dispatching Espanyol 4-0 and will be confident of going head to head with Guardiola’s men for a spot in this year’s Champions League final.

The visitors also recorded a comfortable 4-0 victory at the Elland Road against Leeds United which put them back at the top of the table by 1 point with 4 games to go. Guardiola is certainly aiming for the double but the focus will solely be on this semifinal for the time being and he will try his very best to stop the likes of Karim Benzema & Vinicius Junior from making a big impact in the 2nd leg, something they could not do at the Etihad. This has all the makings of a blockbuster clash between two of Europe’s elite clubs and another goal fest can not be ruled out.

A massive Champions League semifinal awaits us and as usual, I have you covered with 2 of my best betting angles for this game included in the preview below:

Team News:

Eden Hazard is out for Real Madrid while David Alaba is doubtful.

Kyle Walker & John Stones are doubtful for Manchester City.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden

- Over 0 cards in the 2nd half for Real Madrid

- Over 0 cards in the 2nd half for Manchester City

- Over 0 goals in the match for Manchester City

- Over 0 offsides in the match for Real Madrid

Both teams picked up a 2nd half card in the 1st leg in Manchester and now we have a card-happy referee in Daniele Orsato in charge of this huge semifinal 2nd leg. He is averaging 6.36 cards per game this season and particularly loves to dish out the cards in the 2nd half. Considering the importance of this game and the referee appointment, both teams should comfortably pick up a card each in the 2nd half.

Manchester City are in prime goalscoring form, having scored 16 goals in their last 4 games in all competitions and netting 4 against Madrid at the Etihad. With Real Madrid having to take the initiative and important defender Alaba missing out for the hosts, a goal for the visitors should be a banker here.

Finally, Manchester City have caught teams offside at least once in their last 11 consecutive games in all competitions. Madrid were caught offside twice in the 1st leg in Manchester and should comfortably clear the “Over 0.5 offsides” line here. Combining these 4 selections gives us a solid betbuilder that I will be staking 1pt on as our main bet.

Kevin De Bruyne averages the most key passes for Manchester City in both the Premier League (2.7) and the Champions League (2.4). He is their most creative player and has 4 assists in his last 3 appearances for the club.

Casemiro is Real Madrid’s most booked player with 11 yellow cards in La Liga and 3 in the Champions League so far this season. He also averages the most fouls per game in the squad (1.8) and with a card-happy ref in charge, it is highly likely that he will see another booking here. Combining these 2 selections gives us a cracking longshot double @ 15/2 and I am happy to stake a small 0.25pt on that.

Best of luck if you follow these selections. Please always gamble responsibly