Real Madrid vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase

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Xabi Alonso’s job could hang on the result between Real Madrid and Man City with the visitors no doubt smelling blood. 

Kick-off date/time: 10 December 2025 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Real Madrid team news: Militao injury adds to defensive crisis

Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lunin; Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras, Garcia; Tchouameni; Valverde, Guler; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior

Unavailable: Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Militao (Injured)

Questionable: Alaba (Injured), Camavinga (Fitness), Huijsen (Injured), Mbappe (Injured)

Man City team news: Rodri won’t make it

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait Nouri; Silva, Gonzalez, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Doku

Unavailable: Kovacic (Injured), Rodri (Injured)

Questionable: Stones (Injured)

Real Madrid vs Man City prediction

The weekend turned out to be an utter disaster for Real Madrid and head coach Xabi Alonso, after Los Blancos were beaten 0-2 at home to Celta Vigo. It now feels like only a matter of time before the Spaniard is removed from his role with reports suggesting that defeat at the hands of Man City would spell the end for Alonso.

As for Pep Guardiola, since losing to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League they’ve won their last three games, all in the Premier League. Most notably was them racking up 11 goals in the process, scoring at least three times in each of those matches. Phil Foden is in sparkling form and combined with the ever-potent Erling Haaland, a makeshift Real Madrid backline could be in big trouble here.

When taking into account the toxicity around Real Madrid right now, Man City must see this as a huge opportunity to go into the Bernabeu and get a positive result, particularly when considering the potential absence of Kylian Mbappe, who is a big injury doubt. If Guardiola's men score first, the hosts could crumble and the shrewd play would be utilising the double chance market and backing Man City to pick up at least a point if not all three. 

Real Madrid vs Man City Tip: Double chance - draw/Man City