Real Madrid vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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15-time European champions Real Madrid continue their UEFA Champions League in a new era as Los Blancos welcome a struggling Monaco side to the Bernabeu this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Real Madrid preview: New era for Los Blancos
Earlier this month, having suffered a defeat to Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de Espana despite general results being reasonably good, Real Madrid sacked manager Xabi Alonso and replaced him with Castilla boss Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa’s first game in charge saw Madrid suffer a shock 3-2 loss to second-tier strugglers Albacete in the Copa del Rey before then easing themselves to a hard-fought 2-0 victory against a struggling but improving Levante side at the weekend.
Monaco preview: Struggling Monegasque
Following the appointment of former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise manager Sebastien Pocognoli in the October international break, Monaco have struggled across all competitions and he is under immense pressure at Stade Louis II.
The principality club suffered a 3-1 loss at home to Lorient at the weekend, meaning that they have now managed just five victories in their last 13 matches across all competitions, albeit two of those five wins have been in this competition.
Real Madrid team news: Carreras suspended
After missing his penalty against for Morocco against Senegal in the dramatic AFCON final, Brahim Diaz could have returned to Madrid here but Alvaro Carreras is a definite absentee as he is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, F. Garcia; Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga; G. Garcia, Mbappe, Vinicius
Unavailable: Lunin (Injured), Rudiger (Injured), Militao (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Carreras (Suspended), Alexander-Arnold (Injured), Rodrygo (Injured)
Questionable: Brahim (International duty)
Monaco team news: Diatta back but injured
After winning the CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, Krepin Diatta and Lamine Camara could have returned for Monaco but the former missed the final due to injury and so could be unavailable anyway.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Kohn; Ouattara, Dier, Faes, Henrique; Teze; Zakaria, Golovin; Akliouche; Biereth, Balogun
Unavailable: Hradecky (Injured), Mawissa (injured), Salisu (Injured), Pogba (Injured), Minamino (Injured)
Questionable: Diatta (International duty), Camara (International duty)
Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction
A more competent and in-form side would fancy themselves to have a real chance of hurting Madrid this week. However, the drop off of the visitors, despite a change in management intended to propel them into a French title race, will ease the pressure on the hosts. Tougher tests await Arbeloa and his band of under pressure celebrities that have been heavily criticised over the departure of Alonso.
Real Madrid vs Monaco Tip: Real Madrid to win
