Two of European football's biggest clubs go head to head in Melbourne on Friday as Manchester City take on Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup.
City won their first match of the pre-season tournament by beating Roma on penalties, while Madrid lost to the Italians on penalties in their opening game.
Man City
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Manuel Pellegrini's side can keep up their winning start to this year's International Champions Cup when they take on Spanish giants Real Madrid at the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Blues got their campaign off to a dramatic start on Tuesday thanks to a penalty-shootout victory over Roma.
City looked on course for a 2-1 win through goals from debutant Raheem Sterling and Kelechi Iheanacho before the Serie A side grabbed a last-gasp equaliser. However, it mattered little in the end as the former Premier League champions came through 5-4 on penalties after Joe Hart had saved two kicks from the spot.
Pellegrini will not be overly concerned by the outcome of the match as these games are more about getting players sharp ahead of the new season, but it would be remiss to think that the Chilean would not like to get the better of his former club.
The 61-year-old failed to win any silverware during his only season at Santiago Bernabeu, leading to his sacking in the summer of 2010.
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Real Madrid
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Rafael Benitez will take charge of Real Madrid for just the second time on Friday after suffering a loss in his opening game last weekend.
Los Blancos saw their International Champions Cup campaign get off to a losing start as they were beaten by Roma on penalties following a goalless draw in Melbourne.
While the 55-year-old's reign at Santiago Bernabeu in still in its infancy, it would be no exaggeration to say that another defeat this weekend would put unnecessary pressure on him already.
However, the experienced Spanish coach has been given the backing of midfielder Toni Kroos, who believes that Madrid are capable of collecting silverware under the former Liverpool and Inter Milan coach.
"I think that we've got a good chance of winning titles with Benitez," the German international recently told the club's in-house television channel. "I hope that we can have a good year."
With his strongest side still a mystery to him, Benitez will be hoping that things click for him and his players against the former Premier League champions.
Recent form (all competitions): LDDWWL
Team News
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Wilfried Bony remains out of action for Manchester City through injury, while Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta are yet to meet up with the squad following their recent participation in the Copa America with Argentina.
Kelechi Iheanacho is likely to feature again for City after impressing against Roma, and Raheem Sterling is also expected to be back in action for his new club.
Madrid have no fitness concerns ahead of the match, though the likes of Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Isco could all be in the starting lineup after being named on the bench for the team's last match.
Man City possible starting lineup:
Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Zuculini, Garcia, Silva, Sterling; Iheanacho
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Bale, Jese, Ronaldo; Benzema
Head To Head
The two teams have met just twice before when they faced off in the Champions League group stage during the 2012-13 campaign. Madrid earned a 3-2 triumph in a thrilling clash at the Bernabeu before a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium saw City fail to reach the last 16 of the competition for the second consecutive season.
We say: Man City 1-2 Real Madrid
The outcome of this game is likely to be decided by the strength of the teams that are put out by the respective managers. If Madrid bring out their big guns, the Spaniards will be the favourites to pick up the win. That said, City have more than enough quality to give Los Blancos a scare. Either way, it is sure to be a close match.
Jack Prescott
