Real Madrid v Man City: City eyeing Bernebeu upset

Real Madrid’s poor start and disharmony in the ranks should see Man City head to the Bernebeu without fear as they aim to make their mark on the continental stage this season.

City can be backed at a monstrous 9/2 for the win – they haven’t been associated with an underdog tag of this degree in a long time.

Alongside City’s inexperience in this competition, the biggest reason behind this price will be Jose Mourinho’s formidable home record. Barcelona were the only side to leave the Bernebeu with all three points last term as Real failed to win just five of 29 games in front of their own fans.

This has become standard fare for the Spanish champions who, the season prior, racked up an incredible 22 successive home wins in all competitions.

A win for Roberto Mancini’s men here will represent a momentous achievement. They haven’t won on the road this season and failed to do the same in 13 away days last term.

However, the Citizens travel to Madrid unbeaten in five in 2012/13 and have netted 12 goals in that time, whereas Real have lost three from six, keeping just one clean sheet along the way – a far cry from the high standards Mourinho has set in previous years.

City will be quietly confident of asking Real a few questions and an aggressive start could catch the hosts, who are unfamiliar with being put under pressure on their own patch, off guard. Carlos Tevez is priced at 8/1 to score first here and, if the visitors deploy this game plan, this could prove a profitable bet.

Real’s 1-0 defeat at Sevilla was the first time this season they’ve failed to trouble the scorers and, with a single City game yet to finish without either team’s keeper being beaten, both teams to score at 8/13 is a bet that offers value despite its low price.

All odds and markets correct as of publication