Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva to start – Predicted XI: Real Madrid vs Manchester City (Champions League semi-final first-leg)

The first-leg of a colossal clash takes place on Tuesday, as Manchester City travel to the Spanish capital to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

History beckons for one of these clubs as last season’s semi-final tie repeats itself. Last year’s heartbreak at the Santiago Bernabeu may fuel the players this time around to avoid suffering the same fate.

In seemingly unstoppable form right now, City arrive with a weight of expectation to deliver, following last season’s heartbreak in the dying embers of the tie.

Collecting their 10^th successive Premier League victory at the weekend, City have plenty of momentum heading into the tie.

However, the success Real Madrid endured at the weekend triumphed City’s victory, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side secured a trophy, winning the Copa Del Rey following victory over Osasuna.

The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both sides having an endless list of superstars who can change a game in an instant. City will be hoping they have the difference maker though, which they lacked in last season’s heartbreak.

Erling Haaland has dominated domestically and took Europe by storm since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, with the Norwegian striker cropping up with important goals countless times this season for the current Premier League champions.

City fans will be looking to lean on the centre forward to deliver once more and continue his impressive statistic of scoring against every opposition this season in Europe.

Haaland isn’t the only reliable source in important games for City, with the blues simply blessed with an array of players who are capable of performing in these big games.

With that being said, here is the side we predict to take on Real Madrid in this huge first leg of the semi-final clash!

Predicted XI:

Ederson returned to action against Leeds after being rested three days prior, and we expect the Brazilian to retain his place between the sticks.

Kyle Walker gave his counterpart Vinicius Junior nothing to work with last season before picking up a knock, we expect the Englishman to start on the right of the Manchester City back four.

Ruben Dias and John Stones have formed into a formidable partnership since Dias arrived in Manchester. We expect the pair to start in Madrid, with Manuel Akanji completing the back four following the injury sustained to Nathan Ake against Leeds United.

Rodrigo is set to make his 201^st appearance for the club against Real Madrid, with the Spaniard almost definitely cementing his place in the side.

Kevin De Bruyne returned to action on Saturday after picking up a knock which kept him out of the side for a couple of games. We predict the Belgian to start alongside club captain Ilkay Gundogan in midfield for Manchester City.

Making his 300^th appearance for the club against Leeds, Bernardo Silva continues to demonstrate why he is integral to this side. We predict Silva to start on the right of the front three for the blues.

Erling Haaland will start as striker for City on Tuesday. The Norwegian is the top scorer in the competition this season and will be looking to increase his goal tally for the campaign.

After being given a rest on Saturday, we predict Jack Grealish to return to the side and complete the starting XI for the blues.

Predicted XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ortega, Carson, Lewis, Laporte, Gomez, Phillips, Palmer, Mahrez, Foden, Alvarez.