Real Madrid host Manchester City in the first leg of their blockbuster Round of 16 tie in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid edged past Benfica in their Knockout Play-Off tie to set up this tie, whilst Man City received a pass through to this stage by virtue of having finished eighth in the League Phase.
Team News
Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for Real Madrid as he continues to manage a knee injury suffered in December 2025.
Rodrygo was set to return from suspension which kept him out of their second-leg victory against Benfica last month, but is now ruled out with a knee injury.
David Alaba, Alvaro Carreras, Dani Ceballos (all calf), Jude Bellingham (hamstring) and Eder Militao (tendon) are sidelined.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 3-1 comeback victory at Newcastle in the FA Cup.
Josko Gvardiol (leg) and Mateo Kovacic (foot) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Real Madrid host Man City at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday 11 March at 9pm CET (8pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Real Madrid have lost two of their last seven meetings against Man City (W2, D3, L2).
- Man City have lost two of their last six visits to Real Madrid (W2, D2, L2).
- Vinicius Junior has scored in both of Real Madrid’s last two home matches in this season’s Champions League (W2), which saw them beat Monaco 6-1 then Benfica by a 2-1 result.
- Man City lost one of their four away games in the League Phase (W2, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having needed a 94th-minute winner to bear Celta Vigo in La Liga amidst various injury issues and the absence of Mbappe and other regulars, Real Madrid probably could do with him available even if as a substitute because they have to be more clinical than they were at Celta Vigo.
Man City meanwhile started sloppily at Newcastle but once behind, they settled and looked a strong energetic forward pressing team without Erling Haaland, which will give Pep Guardiola some thought as to whether he sticks with that line-up or bring the Norwegian back up front.
I personally hope that he doesn’t make any changes because that performance is the type which could hurt Real Madrid if their defence is not fine-tuned, whilst Mbappe and Rodrygo’s absences up front would add extra difficulty for them to deal with a forward-pressing City.
If that is the case in terms of Guardiola not making changes, I would expect City to win this and have their fate in their own hands at home.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester City
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