For the fifth season in a row, Real Madrid and Manchester City will face each other in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. They've also already played each other once this season, with City winning 2-1 in the League Phase.

Now, the two sides will face each other again for a place in the quarter-finals, when they meet on Thursday, March 12, at 07:00 AEDT.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Man City to win

Value bet: 'Yes' in the BTTS

Long shot: 'Over 3.5 goals' to hit

Betting Preview

In the League Phase game, Rodrygo scored the opener (who is now out for the season with an injury), before Nico O'Reilly and a penalty from Erling Haaland completed the victory in the first half of the game.

It is the only defeat that Alvaro Arbeola's side have had in European soccer at home this season. This may give the Spaniard's some confidence, especially as City have been poor away from home in Europe. They have only won two of their last eight UCL games away from home, with one draw and five defeats. Madrid have knocked them out of this competition four times, including in both of the last two campaigns.

Haaland has been struggling to find the back of the net recently, but he has seven goals in the UCL this season, tying him for fourth on the leaderboard. By contrast, Kylian Mbappe leads with 13 goals. He could be available for this game, while the Norwegian is for City. Both players rank among the top goalscorers of all time and continue to add to their impressive tallies.

Betting Markets to Watch

Goals can be a betting market that is worth exploring in this upcoming game for value. Some quick figures include:

• Madrid's last four games have produced exactly three goals
• Madrid have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last five home games
• Man City have had 3+ goals in three of their last four matches
• Five of Man City's last six games away in the UCL have seen both teams score

With this in mind, the 'Yes' in the BTTS looks likely to hit. For more value, we think the 'Over 3.5 goals' market is worth exploring. Both teams are offensively strong, while they are both equally vulnerable at the back. If you're new to Champions League betting, understanding these goal markets is a great place to start.

Our Prediction

Check the latest Real Madrid vs Manchester City betting odds at Sportsbet.

We think there's betting value in a Man City win as the most likely outcome of this match. Real Madrid has lost each of its last four Champions League matches against teams from England, while Guardiola's side are unbeaten in 11 competitive fixtures (W9, D2). For those looking to explore more soccer betting odds, this fixture offers plenty of angles to consider.

Our long shot is in the player prop markets, with Haaland and Mbappe as anytime goalscorers in this match. Of course, it will depend on Mbappe's availability, but Haaland's recent drought would suggest there's value in backing him to score. Both have been among the UCL's most lethal strikers in history, and have continued to perform in this season's competition.

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