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Real Madrid v Manchester City is the glamour tie of matchday six of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). These two seem to face each other every year in Europe’s premier competition and always produce thrilling matches. In fact, this will be the 15th UCL match between the two, making this the most played fixture in the competition since their first clash in 2012/13.
Real Madrid do not head into this match with momentum behind them, losing 2-0 to Celta Vigo on Sunday at the Bernabeu. Now sitting four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, the pressure has increased on manager Xabi Alonso, with this defeat meaning Los Blancos have only won one league match in their last five. Earlier in the week, Alonso said he had talks with club president Florentino Perez about the club's dip in form as tensions rise behind the scenes. After the Celta defeat, Alonso said: "We have the Champions League game against City to react in, and get this bad taste out of our mouths.” The proof will be in the pudding.
Manchester City, on the other hand, are in a good period. Consecutive defeats to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen have been followed up by three straight wins and a return to form. In the Champions League, the Citizens trail Real by two points but will be looking to leapfrog their continental rivals in the table and consolidate a space in the top-eight of the table.
Real Madrid v Manchester City key information
• Date: Wednesday, December 10
• Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
• Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
• Referee: Clément Turpin
• VAR: Jérôme Brisard
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: RMA (29/20) - DRAW (14/5) - MCI (13/8)
Real Madrid team news
All is not well at the most famous club in the world. Xabi Alonso is under pressure, and there is dissent amongst the fans and, allegedly, with some players. Alonso and Vinicius Jr’s disagreements were made public last month when they rowed as the star was substituted. Since then, the Brazil international has been stalling on contract talks, although the club remain confident of eventually signing a deal.
Back on the pitch, Real are suffering a defensive injury crisis with Eder Militao the latest to suffer, having to be substituted after 24 minutes against Celta Vigo on the weekend. He joins fellow defenders David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the treatment table.
In attack, they seem to be all fine now, with Kylian Mbappe scoring for fun for his club with 16 goals in all competitions already.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Man City, (4-4-2)
Coach: Xabi Alonso
Courtois; Fran Garcia, Carreras, Asencio, Valverde; Vinicius Jr, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Guler; Bellingham, Mbappé.
Manchester City team news
The return to form of Phil Foden has been a big help to Man City in regaining their form. The talismanic midfielder has scored five in the last three games for City, having only scored four in all competitions before that. His goals have taken some of the pressure off Erling Haaland, who has only one goal in his last five games.
One player City are set to still be without for this game against Real is 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. Pep Guardiola revealed this week that the midfielder is still some weeks away from returning, having already missed a large part of this season. He initially picked up the injury against Brentford at the start of October, and only returned for a minute against Bournemouth before missing the last six games with a recurrence of the hamstring injury.
Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Pep Guardiola
Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Gvardiol, Dias, Nunes; Nico, Reijnders; Doku, Foden, Cherki; Haaland.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
Manchester City’s trip to the Spanish capital to face Real Madrid will be shown on TNT Sports in the UK. TNT Sports is available with a subscription to discovery+, which can be watched on the website, on the app, on your smart TV or through your console.
Head-to-head record
The most played fixture in the Champions League since they first met in 2012 gets a new Chapter. City usually have the better of the meetings; however, they have lost their last two games against Real Madrid, falling at home and away against them in last season’s play-off round. This is as many losses as they had experienced in their previous 11 games against the Spanish side combined (W4/D5/L2).
On form, City come in stronger, winning three of their last five games (2L), whereas Madrid have two wins in their last five (2D/1L). In the UCL specifically, Real are a tad better than their opponents, sitting fifth in the table with 12 points, having won four and only lost one. City are ninth, with 10 points, winning three, losing one and drawing one. A win for Madrid will see them push five points clear of City, but a win for City will see them go above their opponents. It is all to play for.
Odds for Real Madrid v Manchester City
It is quite close between the two teams in the betting odds. Real Madrid are slight favourites at bet365, coming in at 29/20 compared to City’s 13/8. A draw between the two is at 14/5.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.