Manchester United v Real Madrid – Match Preview and Betting Tip

Betting Tips | Article posted on March 4th, 2025

This is one of the most anticipated fixtures in recent football history. While much of the focus in such fixtures is on the pitch, it is also worth pointing out that this is a battle between the world’s two most valuable sports clubs. This a a testimony to the commercially successful policies that the two clubs have followed, particularly when one considers that the majority of the list of the world’s richest sports clubs is dominated by American franchises.

If United fans may feel slightly aggrieved that their elevated financial position has not been reflected with the same level of investment in the team as has been enjoyed by their opponents for this game, they can at least take comfort in the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has once again built a formidable and youthful squad at Old Trafford. It must baulk slightly with supporters, though, that the focus of so much attention in the build-up to this fixture, Cristiano Ronaldo, was considered by Sir Alex Ferguson to be ‘unsignable’ while Real were able to put a package together to capture the Portugese from United three years ago.

Predicting the United starting eleven for this fixture is quite tricky, with Phil Jones’ man-marking remit from the first-leg unlikely to be repeatable due to injury. Cleverley and Carrick are likely to constitute the midfield base upon which United will build. Ferguson has no end of options available to him in attack and on the flanks, but it seems a certainty that Wayne Rooney will be tasked with supporting Robin van Persie from a deep position, with Danny Welbeck likely to start again due to his hard-working nature. Shinji Kagawa may receive a starting berth as well after his hat-trick at the weekend. In defence, Jonny Evans may be preferred to Nemanja Vidic, with Rio Ferdinand certain to return.

Real will bring back all of their big hitter after resting several in the weekend El Clasico victory. This will mean recall for Ronaldo, Khedira, Alonso, Arbeloa, Ozil and di Maria. Higuain may start ahead of Benzema, despite the Frenchman’s goal against Barca, and Iker Casillas has been included in the squad, which means that the Real legend may start between the Madrid posts despite the recent form of Lopez.

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Manchester United (possible 4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Welbeck, Rooney, Kagawa; Van Persie

Real Madrid (possible 4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Higuain

Betting Prediction: This will be one of the tensest matches that anyone could hope to watch, but as it comprises two teams that love to attack, and considering the fact that Real must score if they wish to stay in the competition, I think there will be goals in this one. So my first tip is for the over 2.5 goals bet in the over / under 2.5 market. I also believe both teams will score, so that’s my second tip. Finally, both teams are in peak form, and United are undoubtedly a formidable outfit, but I feel Real are the better side, with more match winners, and a stronger midfield, and I’m tipping them to win the game in normal time.

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