Manchester City are facing Real Madrid this week in probably the weakest position of any of their recent Champions League meetings.

Having taken on the European Champions in quarter-finals and semi-finals, this week's knockout play-off will be a clash between the winners of the last three Champions Leagues. But City have been shattered by injuries this season and are out of Premier League title contention - with their 22nd-placed finish in the Champions League League Phase summing up their struggles.

Real also failed to finish in the top eight so must navigate this play-off, but are flying high in La Liga and remain favourites to win the Champions League. City will know this is the most difficult test against Carlo Ancelotti's men in their near-annual ties against them.

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They will need to press home their Etihad Stadium advantage in the first leg on Tuesday to give themselves something to take to the Bernabeu next week and defend. And now a hidden boost for the second leg has emerged with as many as seven Real Madrid players one yellow card at the Etihad away from a suspension for the Bernabeu.

After the league phase, yellow cards are carried over to the knockout stage with three bookings earning a one-match suspension. For City, only Ruben Dias is at risk of suspension with one more yellow card.

For Real, seven players must be careful for the second leg - including Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric - although two are unlikely to play.

Key men Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni could also miss the second leg with a yellow card, as could exciting Brazilian Endrick. Eder Miliatao and Antonio Rudiger are both set to miss the game with injury, reducing the risk to Real but equally putting pressure on converted defender Tchouameni to keep himself out of trouble.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has also been carded twice in the eight League Phase games so another caution would see him banned from the touchline at the Bernabeu.

City will focus on winning at the Etihad as a priority, but could help themselves at the Bernabeu if the likes of Camavinga, Bellingham or Tchouameni would miss the second leg.