Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Nielsen's Gracenote: "The Euro Club Index's, external top two ranked teams meet in this evening's first Champions League semi-final.

"Manchester City are strong favourites to progress to the final as their rating is much higher than second place Real Madrid's.

"City are estimated to have a 66% chance of going through with Real Madrid on 34%."

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

In my eyes, it's the best two teams in the tournament going head to head. You cannot ask for anything more.

We watch Man City every week and admire them every week in England. Real Madrid are a team who know how to win this competition and know how to get results. They have got what it takes to beat Man City. We know they are an excellent side.

I think City are stronger than they were last year when they played Real Madrid. Obviously people like Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish has got better over the year and other players are in good form so they are a stronger side than they were last season.

Real Madrid are still reliant on the two wingers, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, we know they are all top quality players. We're in for a very exciting game. Whoever goes through, it will be close.

You can't sit back and park the bus, that's not Man City. Not many teams come here and win so a draw is a good result. City will have to play the best they can over two legs and the same with Real Madrid.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid - who beat Liverpool in last year's final - go to Manchester for the second leg of this semi-final on 17 May.

In their tie with Real Madrid last year, City won 4-3 at home then extended their lead at the Bernabeu before Real's late comeback.

"The difference this year is the second leg is at home," said Pep Guardiola.

"I'm not sure if it is an advantage or disadvantage but I think everything will be decided in Manchester."

Champions League semi-finals - where the unthinkable occurs.

From late goals to the impossible comeback, and the occasional red card, BBC Sport has taken a look back at some of the most remarkable ties of recent years and it is up to you to choose which is the best of the best.

Read here and get voting.

Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder

"Don't make a mistake."

That's what the Manchester City players will be thinking to themselves, and they cannot afford to switch off for a single second.

I was working at Leicester's crucial game against Everton last week and the match analysts for both clubs were sitting next to me. I said "look lads, put your monitors down - it's not about tactics tonight, it is just about avoiding any errors".

That was a Premier League relegation battle while this is a Champions League semi-final, but City versus Real is exactly the same scenario, just at a much higher level.

You can give players all the data you've got, and detailed instructions for how to play a particular role or deal with a certain opponent. All of that is important, of course, but they also know that if they suffer one lapse in concentration then the game has changed, and maybe even been lost.

That's what happened to City when they played Real in last season's semi-final. They were in full control of the tie heading into the 90th minute of the second leg…and they still didn't go through.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola says it would be a "huge mistake" for Manchester City to look for "revenge" against Real Madrid.

City led 5-3 on aggregate in the 90th minute of last year's semi-final second leg, but Madrid remarkably fought back.

"We're not here for revenge, we're here for an opportunity," said Guardiola.

"What happened, happened in the past. It would be a huge mistake to think about that.

"The lesson we learn from last year is not revenge, it is learning about what happened, get a good result, perform well and give the opportunity to leave the tie open in Manchester."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City are aiming for a Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

They have moved clear of Arsenal in the domestic league and have already booked their place against Manchester United in the FA Cup final on 3 June.

Madrid look almost certain to miss out on the Spanish La Liga title to Barcelona.

They won the Copa del Rey on Saturday so they can put most of their focus on becoming European champions for the sixth time in the past 10 seasons.

Image source, Getty Images

So many huge names in both squads. Multiple winners, relentless goalscorers and experienced midfielders.

Pick your combined XI here.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid's prolific front three of Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema and Rodrygo all start.

They have 67 goals and 38 assists between them in all competitions this season.

Each of them scored across the two legs against Manchester City last season.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Kelly Cates is presenting build-up to the game on BBC Radio 5 Live from 19:00 BST.

We've got live commentary from kick-off.

Both sides are as expected really, with Manuel Akanji starting at left-back for Manchester City. Nathan Ake is out with a calf injury.

Big hitters Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne are predictably in the line-up.

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao is suspended, with Antonio Rudiger in the team.

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Akanji, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan, Silva, Grealish, Haaland.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga, Modric, Kroos; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius, Benzema.

Image source, Getty Images

The Champions League semi-finals have arrived.

Manchester City face European royalty Real Madrid and Inter Milan take on AC Milan in a huge Italian derby.

Both legs of the Milan derby are at their shared San Siro ground.

That has happened twice before in the Champions League, with Milan beating Inter in the 2003 semis and 2005 quarters.

But what else should we be looking out for?

Read more here.

Image source, BBC Sport

It doesn't get much bigger than this.

Real Madrid v Manchester City at the Bernabeu for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

City are chasing Treble glory, Real Madrid are looking to defend their European crown.

Let's see what happens...