Real Madrid vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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Real Madrid host Man City as the two sides meet once again in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & DAZN
Real Madrid preview: Unconvincing
Real Madrid finished ninth in the league phase, and therefore narrowly missed out on automatic qualification to the round of 16, before they defeated Jose Mourinho's Benfica 3-1 on aggregate in the knockout phase play-offs.
The Spanish giants have not been firing on all cylinders lately, and have fallen four points behind Barcelona in the league table.
Man City preview: Clicking into gear
Man City skipped the knockout phase play-offs having finished one place above their opponents, and even defeated Real Madrid 1-2 in Spain on Matchday 7 of the league phase.
Pep Guardiola's men are unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions, winning nine of those, and are competing for trophies on four different fronts right now.
Real Madrid team news
Team news to appear here following the pre-match club's press conference...
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Man City team news
Team news to appear here following the pre-match club's press conference...
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X):
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Questionable:
Real Madrid vs Man City prediction
This is the fifth season running that Real Madrid and Man City have squared off in the Champions League, in what is becoming an increasingly familiar rivalry in Europe's premier club competition.
Although City won their league phase encounter in December, they have been eliminated from the competition in the previous two seasons by Madrid.
City look a much more settled side right now though. The January acquisitions of Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo have revitalised them, and that fresh energy could be what makes the difference in this tie.
Real Madrid have not convinced under Alvaro Arbeloa, and given that they are likely to be missing Mbappe in this first leg, we think City are capable of claiming an aggregate lead in Spain.
Real Madrid vs Man City Tip: Man City to win
