Real Madrid vs Manchester City Champions League quarter-final first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, predicted line-ups

Real Madrid and Manchester City meet in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday 9 April.

Where to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

Carlo Ancelotti's 200th Champions League game as a coach promises to be a classic after Real Madrid and Manchester City were pitched together in the knockout stages for the fourth time in five seasons. The momentum has ebbed and flowed across those meetings too, with City winning both legs in the 2019/20 round of 16 and then overwhelming the 14-time winners in last season's semi-finals.

Madrid's lone aggregate triumph was the most dramatic though, Rodrygo's last-gasp double taking their 2021/22 semi-final to extra time, during which Karim Benzema struck the decisive blow. The Merengues will be hoping to summon the spirit of that night at the Santiago Bernabéu as they eye a 12th successive quarter-final victory.

Predicted line-ups

Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo
Out: Courtois (meniscus), Alaba (knee)
Suspended: None
Misses next match if booked: Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Vinícius Júnior

Man City: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Akanji; Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
Suspended: None
Misses next match if booked: Rúben Dias

Form guide

Real Madrid
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWDDW
Most recent result: Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Club, 31/03, Spanish La Liga

Man City
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWDWDW
Most recent result: Crystal Palace 2-4 Man City, 06/04, English Premier League

Expert predictions

Graham Hunter, Real Madrid reporter
This match-up is swiftly becoming a Champions League Clásico – the last four games have produced 17 goals, huge drama and, on each occasion, the victors have gone on to lift the trophy. Madrid, despite having the most extensive history of any club in this tournament, need to break new ground – they've never eliminated City when the second leg is in Manchester. However, they possess the tools for the job: Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior are enjoying stellar seasons. Stand by for tension and tenacity.

Steve Bates, Man City reporter
City rarely fail to deliver their best when a big performance is required and the odds are stacked in their favour again. Having drawn at the Santiago Bernabéu at the semi-final stage last year, there will be no surprises in store for Guardiola's double treble-chasing side, who have key stars Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland in sparkling form. In the last three knock-out ties between the clubs Guardiola has guided City to four wins and a draw with just one loss. Let the fireworks begin!

What the coaches say

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach: "It is an incredibly attractive tie for the world of football. I wouldn't say it will be similar to last season, because every tie has its own individual characteristics. But the quality of both sides will allow us to watch a beautiful match at a technical level. We know we will be better than City in some aspects and not so good in others. Let's see what happens after 180 minutes."

Pep Guardiola, Man City coach: "If we [won the Champions League] once, we can do it again. To beat Madrid twice in a row is difficult. In this competition the target is not easy. They have pride, they have to be smart and play and we will see what happens in the second leg."

Where is the 2024 Champions League final?

©Getty Images

The best of the best will be crowned on the ultimate stage when the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season concludes at London's prestigious Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June.