Real Madrid vs Manchester City Preview, Lineups & Prediction | Champions League Matchday 6
Matchday 6 of the Champions League brings a heavyweight showdown between two of the last three competition winners, as fifth-place Real Madrid host ninth-place Manchester City with both sides aiming to secure a top-eight finish and an automatic place in the round of 16.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Wednesday's Real Madrid vs Manchester City match.
Real Madrid enter the week tied for the second-most points in the Champions League table but sit fifth on goal difference. The Spanish giants have conceded just one goal at home through five League stage fixtures.
Manchester City sit ninth, level with five other clubs on 10 points. The Cityzens have scored exactly two goals in each of their Champions League away matches and will look to continue that trend in Madrid.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City Head-to-Head Record
Real Madrid and Manchester City have met on 14 previous occasions dating back to 2012 when Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-2 in a group stage match.
Real Madrid narrowly lead the all-time series, having won six times and drawn on four occasions. Most recently, Madrid ousted City from the 2024/25 Champions League in the knockout stage by an aggregate score of 6-3.
Fixture Trivia
Matchday 6 Trivia: Which player scored an own-goal to decide the 2016 Champions League semifinal between Real Madrid and Manchester City?
Matchday 5 Trivia: In the second leg of the 2012 Champions League semifinal against Barcelona, Chelsea were shown six yellow cards and one red card. Which Chelsea player was the recipient of the red card?
John Terry
(Answer to Matchday 6 trivia question revealed in Matchday 7's preview article)
Betting Odds and Predictions for Real Madrid vs. Manchester City Match
UEFA Champions League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: RMA +170 Draw +290, MCI +140
FanDuel: RMA +170 Draw +270, MCI +145
BetMGM: RMA +165 Draw +290, MCI +135
Bet365: RMA +180 Draw +280, MCI +135
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RECENT FORM
Real Madrid (LWDWD) were unbeaten across four away fixtures before being defeated after going down to 10 men versus Celta Vigo in their most recent league match.
Manchester City (WWWLL) have rattled off three successive wins after losses at Newcastle and at home to Leverkusen. Over the five-match stretch, the Cityzens have conceded nine goals.
FORMATIONS
Real Madrid are likely to start in a 4-3-3 with Alonso occasionally shifting to a more defensive 4-2-3-1 formation when locking-down a lead.
Alonso's system is predicated upon the ability of Aurelien Tchouameni to play a box-to-box role from his base in the midfield-three by protecting the backline and distributing to the Real Madrid forwards to spring the attack
Manchester City are most likely to line up in a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 shape. When City control possession, look for Guardiola's tactical nuances to take shape as a full-back will move into the midfield, allowing the likes of Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden to take-up a position further up the pitch.
LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Champions League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Real Madrid Injury & Lineup News
Head coach Xabi Alonso has a rash of injuries with which to contend as Real Maadrid seek to secure their place in the next stage.
Defensively, Eder Militao (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (quadriceps) and Ferland Mendy (thigh) are each likely out through the new year. Additionally, Dean Huijsen (undisclosed) is dealing with a muscle overload and did not train Tuesday, suggesting he is unlikely to feature in Wednesday's Champions League clash against Manchester City, according to Miguel Angel Diaz from COPE.
Look for Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio to feature as the cobbled-together central defensive pairing, flanked by Federico Valverde on the right and Alvaro Carreras on the left.
In the midfield, key cog Eduardo Camavinga (ankle) trained with the team on Monday but was missing from Tuesday's training session. He is unlikely to feature in Wednesday's Champions League clash against Manchester City, also according to Miguel Angel Diaz from COPE. With Camavinga a doubt, expect Dani Ceballos to feature alongside Tchouameni in the pliable Madrid midfield.
Perhaps most consequential, Kylian Mbappe (leg) is a doubt for the clash. The forward has experienced muscle discomfort and was not spotted in team training on Tuesday. If Mbappe can't play, Madrid could be forced to rely on Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior to provide a threat in the attack.
Manchester City Injury & Lineup News
Pep Guardiola has a healthier group of players to work with for Wednesday's match.
In the midfield, Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) has not played this season after suffering an Achilles injury, and a recurrence of the injury that required a subsequent surgery. Kovacic is not expected to back until March 2026 at the earliest.
Rodri (hamstring) has made just one appearance for one minute since Oct. 5. Ahead of City's most recent win over Sunderland, Guardiola was pressed on whether the midfielder would be available for the Champions League matchup versus Real Madrid. Guardiola added: "Ask me in Madrid," according to Yahoo Sports. If the former Ballon d'Or winner is deemed fit ahead of the fixture, look for the responsibilities of playing City's holding-midfielder role to be divided amongst Rodri and Nico Gonzalez as the veteran builds back to 90 minutes.
Lastly, John Stones (leg) missed out on Manchester City's victory over Sunderland and does not have a timetable for his return. In Stones's absence, look for Josko Gvardiol to lineup alongside Ruben Dias in central defense.
KEY MATCHUPS
Full-Strength Attack versus Second-Choice Backline
As previously alluded, Alonso is likely to be without multiple key members of his backline Wednesday. In the stead of the injured, 32-year old veteran Rudiger and midfielder-by-trade Valverde will lead 22-year olds Asencio and Carreras as they look to contend with one of the most talented attacking units in Europe.
When City are enjoying sustained possession, expect Haaland to occupy the two central defenders while Bernardo Silva plays a holding role underneath the striker's position. As the tandem probe centrally, look for Foden to pick-up positions between Madrid's backline and midfield in a free roaming On the wings, look for Jeremey Doku to take-on Valverde as often as play allows Wednesday while Rayan Cherki occupy the opposite wing of the City attack.
I back the in-form City attack to out duel the cobbled-together backline of Real Madrid and overwhelm goalkeeper Thiabut Courtois with a bevy of shots on target.
Real Madrid Wingers versus Manchester City Full-backs
With star striker Mbappe likely not to feature Wednesday, expect Alonso to build his attacks from the wide areas. Look for Vinicius Junior & Arda Guler to be the focal point of the attacking unit.
Opposing Vinicius Junior is likely to be Matheus Nunes. Nunes is a midfielder by trade who has filled the right full-back role for Guardiola since his arrival from Wolverhampton in 2023. Nunes' natural propensity is to progress the ball and meaningfully contribute to the team's build-up play. Look for Vinicius Junior to test the full-back's discipline throughout the 90 minutes and take advantage of positioning errors.
Opposite Vinicius Junior & Nunes is likely to be a showdown of 20-year olds on the right flank as Guler and Nico O'Reilly will tussle.
O'Reilly is a versatile player, akin to Nunes, who previously played in midfield. The 20-year old earned plaudits for shutting-down Mohamed Salah in early November and has assisted once while making 18 clearances across his subsequent five appearances (four starts) in all competitions.
Guler's most meaningful skill in the current Real Madrid setup is to draw defender's towards the ball as he seeks to open up lanes to pick-out runners and exercise his pinpoint passing skills. I back O'Reilly to contain Guler on the wings throughout the 90 minutes. However, Guler could play a destabilizing role in which he opts for a more central position in an effort to drag O'Reilly inside and misshape the City backline.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Erling Haaland has attempted 20 shots (11 on goal) across five Champions League appearances (four starts) and scored five times this season. However, in five career appearances (five starts) versus Real Madrid, he has never scored a goal.
Considering the striker's innate quality and current form, I would back Haaland as a potential MOTM against any defensive pairing in world football. That being the case, I expect the Norwegian to simply overpower a second-choice Real Madrid backline Wednesday. Look for Haaland to score his first goal versus Los Blancos and pepper Courtois' net with multiple shots on goal.
PREDICTED RESULT
Real Madrid 1 - Manchester City 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Real Madrid: Jan. 20 vs Monaco
Manchester City: Jan. 20 at Bodo/Glimt
