Real Madrid face Manchester City in a blockbuster league phase clash in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
Victory would keep Real Madrid in the top eight whilst Man City can climb back into the top eight and above Real with a win.
Team News
Eder Miltao is ruled out for Real Madrid after he suffered a hamstring injury during their La Liga defeat to Celta Vigo.
David Alaba and Dean Huijsen (both muscle) face fitness checks, but Endrick, Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras are available as their suspensions only apply domestically – after the trio were sent off against Celta Vigo.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (quad), Dani Carvajal (knee), Ferland Mendy (hamstring) remain absent.
Man City will be without John Stones after the defender missed their 3-0 Premier League win against Sunderland due to an unspecified injury.
Mateo Kovacic (foot) and Rodri (hamstring) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Real Madrid face Man City at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday 9 December at 9pm CET (8pm GMT), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Real Madrid have lost just one of their last six meetings against Man City (W2, D3, L1).
- Man City have won just one of their last five visits to Real Madrid (W1, D2, L2).
- Four of Real Madrid’s last six goals against Man City were scored by Kylian Mbappe, which came in their knockout play-off tie in February 2025 (W2), which Real won 6-3 on aggregate.
- Two of Real’s three goals at home in the league phase this season were scored by Mbappe (W2).
- Three of City’s four away goals in the league phase were scored by Erling Haaland (W1, D1).
Prediction
Having endured a wasteful ill-disciplined defeat against Celta Vigo on Sunday with three red cards, Real Madrid are lucky that their suspensions are only applied domestically and not multi-competition otherwise this could of been a hard slog given their already deep defensive injury crisis.
Man City meanwhile were absolutely clinical in how they went about defeating Sunderland because they controlled the game comfortably with calm composure, although Gianluigi Donnarumma did spare their defence’s blushes at times but I expect them to come with a real confidence after that performance.
Real Madrid though are still a top team in midfield and attack amidst their defensive difficulties but with both teams in different places mentally after last weekend, I fancy Man City to get the win.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Man City
Result: Real Madrid 1-2 Man City
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