Former Real Madrid striker Nicolas Anelka is backing them for victory at Champions League opponents Manchester City.

The Frenchman believes that Real Madrid's stature in the competition is a big factor, and has backed Zinedine Zidane's team to overturn the 2-1 deficit in their round 16 tie.

Anelka told Marca: "With Zidane yes, everything is possible. City are on good form. It will be tough, but Madrid are Madrid and in the Champions League they are very strong. I don't know what will happen, but Zidane is capable of coming back and Guardiola is very good too, so it will be a great game. City, importantly, start with an advantage."

On Eden Hazard, he added: "I think the first year is never easy and less so at Madrid because I have lived it when you come from England. But he is going to stay. This year he has experienced a bit what LaLiga is like and next year he will want to show the talent he has."