Champions League 2015/16: Manchester City vs Real Madrid betting preview

Manchester City will look to take a big stride towards a first-ever Champions League final appearance when they host Spanish giants Real Madrid at the Etihad on 26 April.

Manuel Pellegrini's side warmed up for the semi-final first-leg showdown with a 4-0 win over Stoke City at the weekend, courtesy of goals from Fernando, Sergio Aguero and a Kelechi Iheanacho brace. The Premier League side are on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions and are priced at 2/1 by Betfair to win the first leg at home.

Gareth Bale scored twice to help Real come from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 and keep their La Liga title hopes alive. The visitors have won their last five matches in all competitions and are 6/4 to extend that run in Manchester. A draw is placed at 5/2.

Madrid have not kept a clean sheet away from home since a 2-0 win at Roma in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Both teams are backed at 5/8 to score in the first leg at the Etihad.

The only previous meeting between City and Real at the Etihad ended in a 1-1 draw in a Champions League group stage match in 2012, with a repeat of the scoreline placed at 7/1.