Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid today - Champions League
- Man City are on the road for the first leg of their quarter-final tie
- Pep Guardiola has rotated his squad superbly ahead of Tuesday's game
- Josko Gvardiol a fresh injury concern
Manchester City are hunting a second consecutive treble, but UEFA threw up a major hurdle by pairing them against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The two clubs have had their fair share of memorable tussles in recent years, with City avenging their improbable defeat in 2022 by thumping their Spanish counterparts a year later.
Another classic two-legged affair is in store with City first making the trip to the Bernabeu before welcoming Carlo Ancelotti's side to the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola still has a couple of defensive injury concerns and here's the team he could pick for Tuesday night's first leg.
Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3)
GK: Ederson - City's number one was back in the matchday squad on Saturday, hinting that a comeback is close. He may return to the XI in Madrid.
RB: Manuel Akanji - With Kyle Walker out, the athletically impressive Akanji surely has to be the contingency plan for nullifying Vinicius Junior.
CB: John Stones - Stones was back in the team at the weekend. His significance to Guardiola's side means he's a shoo-in for Tuesday's clash.
CB: Ruben Dias - The Portuguese defender has had his fair share of critics for his performances this season, but Dias has a huge role to play during the run-in.
LB: Rico Lewis - Lewis, who scored at Selhurst Park after impressing against Aston Villa, could keep his place in the side given City's injuries. However, he could invert off the left with Guardiola unlikely to trust him one-v-one against Vini Jr.
CM: Rodri - The man that doesn't lose was utterly imperious in City's 4-1 win over Villa last Wednesday, following that display up with an assist for De Bruyne at the weekend. It's hard to bet against the Cityzens when this mentality monster is involved.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne - Scorer at the Bernabeu on two separate occasions, De Bruyne was back to his best on Saturday as he inspired City to a 4-2 win in south London.
AM: Phil Foden - The sparkling Foden is well rested following his magic last week, having not featured at Selhurst Park. Can he produce a game-breaking Champions League display?
RW: Bernardo Silva - A mere cameo for Bernardo on Saturday suggests he'll get the nod down the right on Tuesday.
ST: Erling Haaland - Haaland is in for a tussle over these two legs with Antonio Rudiger and the returning Eder Militao determined to contain the Nordic goal-machine whose appeared more human this term.
LW: Jack Grealish - Control is all Guardiola wants and Grealish's ability to retain possession in the final third should see him get the nod over the more chaotic Jeremy Doku. Grealish has impressed in recent outings.
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