Real Madrid v Manchester United
UEFA Champions League
Bernabeau Stadium, Madrid
Wednesday February 13, 2013
19:45 GMT
The tie everyone has been waiting for is upon us as the impending Premier League champions travel to the current Spanish champions for the pick of the last 16 ties. Manchester United have it all to do as they need some form of protection heading into the second leg.
Real Madrid Preview
Real Madrid have not lost a single game at home this season with nine wins and two draws. They have scored 36 goals at home and have conceded just as many as Barcelona with nine. They performed as expected to get out of the most difficult group during the first stage of the competition, and are one of the favourites in the Champions League betting to go all the way to the final this year.
Injuries and Suspensions
Iker Casillas is the only Real Madrid player officially ruled out of this match after he broke his hand earlier in the season. Real Madrid have no suspensions to worry about so they have an otherwise fully fit squad of players to choose from as they seek out a first leg advantage.
The Spanish champions are odds on with most bookmakers at 8/13.
Manchester United Preview
Manchester United’s away form in the Premier League has been solid with a few minor blips; nine wins, two draws and two defeats. No side has scored more away goals in the league this season which means they are not afraid of utilising their strengths on the counter attack.
Injuries and Suspensions
Darren Fletcher has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he struggles to come to terms with a bowel illness. Phil Jones is touch and go to be fit in time for the match as he’s struggling with a calf problem which forced him off against Everton and Paul Scholes is only being given a slim chance with a knee injury.
Most of the bookies don’t give United much hope at a best price of 4/1.
Real Madrid v Manchester United Statistics
Real Madrid finished second in their Champions League group behind Borussia Dortmund having won three matches, drawn two and lost just one. Real conceded nine goals during the group stage which is three more than their opponents.
United were one of the first teams to qualify and their two defeats in the group stage came after this point. They were solid but not spectacular only scoring nine goals but the job for Sir Alex Ferguson was getting qualified as quickly as possible.
Head to Head: Real Madrid and Manchester United have met in Spain on four occasions with Real winning two matches and two ending in draws. The last time United defeat Real was during the 1967/1968 season with a 1-0 win.
Recent Form
Real Madrid have played two games so far this month with one win and one defeat. They also secured five wins and drew all of their other matches throughout January. They have conceded three goals in their last three games.
United are on an unbeaten run of four matches which has seen three back-to-back wins in the Premier League backed up by a win in the FA Cup. The last time United tasted defeat in any competition was in the Champions League at the start of December.
Real Madrid v Manchester United Prediction
Expect to see Real Madrid piling on a lot of pressure because they are looking for anything to take back to Old Trafford. United would settle for a narrow defeat if it meant they grabbed an away goal. Real Madrid 2-1 Manchester United.
The best price available for this score line is currently 15/2.
