"This tie is far from over". Charlie Nicholas states his prediction for Manchester City V Real Madrid

Manchester City are preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 second-leg game on Friday, August 7. First leg between the teams ended with City’s 2-1 win before the season was put on hold due to coronavirus pandemic. Ahead of the game, Sky Sports football expert has stated his prediction. "The Champions League is back with a couple of matches on both Friday and Saturday, but this is the best of them. "When the full-time whistle blew in Madrid, City could have been further in front, by three or four goals. So Real still have a chance and that is the sad part, as I would like to see City get through. "Real have recaptured La Liga, but when I looked at what Pep Guardiola was doing when he was chopping and changing his City team, he was doing it too often for me. He is trying to get minutes into their legs, but his team for the FA Cup semi-final - when Arsenal beat them - did not play as well as City can play. "If you are taking a risk like this for the Champions League, you make it a big risk. For the last 10 days or so, Pep will have been working on shape, especially with Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and then Bernardo Silva or Riyad Mahrez. Does he utilise Mahrez to tease and torment Marcelo as he will not like it? But Mahrez will not like defending against Marcelo, so there will be lots to think about. "This tie is far from over and Madrid can comeback and hurt you big time as we have seen before. Pep knows how to get Real on the wrong foot and I think he will prove that again. "He played a false nine in Madrid and there is a possibility that this could happen again, with De Bruyne playing in that position. Gabriel Jesus has scored a few, but he is easier to mark. Sterling can threaten in behind Sergio Ramos to expose him too, so I am hopeful for City, but I do see both teams scoring goals. "For that reason, I am looking at a five-goal thriller. This is the build up to a real exciting Champions League campaign. Madrid will go for it and City can - and will - pick them off." Charlie Nicholas' score prediction: 3-2 source - Sky Sports Join us on Telegram

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