There may not be much on the line from a competitive standpoint when Real Madrid meet Manchester City in Champions League action on Wednesday, but there will be plenty to play for.
The two sides both sit in a comfortable position near the top of the league-phase standings through five matches, Real Madrid fifth and Man City ninth, separated by just two points. They may both be gunning for a top-eight place and a Round of 16 bye, but a place at least in the knockout playoffs appears secure.
Instead, the undertones of this match revolve around the status of Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso, who could reportedly face the sack if Los Blancos don't achieve a result.
Madrid have fallen four points back of Barcelona in the La Liga standings after building a significant lead through the month of October. They have identified this match against a shaky Man City side as one for the Spaniard to prove his worth.
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Real Madrid vs. Man City prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+290 on DraftKings)
- Score prediction: Real Madrid 3-2 Man City
Both of these teams have shown fallibilities defensively, but it's Man City who have really been the most error-prone at the back, especially in the second half of matches.
While Real Madrid would have been a good side to back, considering they are putting up good underlying numbers despite their recent lack of form, the potential injury absence of in-form goal scorer Kylian Mbappe is a significant blow to the side.
Los Blancos should still manage to get a point from this game, but backing them to win feels aggressive should Mbappe miss out.
| DraftKings (USA) | |
| Real Madrid win | +170 |
| Draw | +290 |
| Man City win | +140 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -240 N: +185 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | O: +120 U: -150 |
| Man City -0.5 goals | +125 |
| Real Madrid +0.5 goals | -175 |
Real Madrid vs. Man City match facts
- Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. Local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid, Spain)
- Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA), VAR: Jerome Brisard (FRA)
- Last meeting: Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (Feb. 19, 2025 | Champions League)
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Real Madrid vs. Man City best bet
- Pick: Over 3.5 total goals
- Odds: +120 (DraftKings)
- Pick: Both teams to score 2H — Yes
- Odds: +150 (DraftKings)
Both of these teams have had difficulties at the back this season, for a litany of reasons.
Real Madrid's defensive issues have been largely injury-related, with starting center-backs Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen both on the shelf alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy. It means young, mistake-prone Raul Asencio will have to play alongside Antonio Rudiger, with Federico Valverde deputizing on the right.
For City, their disorganization has been more self-imposed than anything else. Sure, John Stones has struggled all season with fitness, but regular starters Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have been inconsistent at best.
Even if Mbappe misses out, there is serious chaos potential in this match, and the head-to-head history backs that up. There have been 21 goals across the last five matches between these two teams, with four of those seeing at least four goals scored.
MORE: Man City predicted lineup, team news | Real Madrid predicted lineup, team news
Real Madrid vs. Man City prop bet
- Pick: Jude Bellingham anytime goal scorer
- Odds: +320 (DraftKings)
With goal scoring machine Kylian Mbappe out injured, others on Real Madrid will have to step up. Gonzalo Garcia was excellent at the Club World Cup over the summer in Mbappe's absence and could get the start, but there's another star in the team who has a history of stepping up in big moments.
Jude Bellingham has four goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions, and a number of them have proven decisive. He scored in the 2-1 Clasico win over Barcelona in late October, the 2-2 draw with Elche, and the 1-0 win over Juventus, all goals which directly led to points.
The 22-year-old has played against Man City eight times in his career, far more than any other English opponent, scoring three times. He had the decisive late goal in their 3-2 Round of 16 win back in February at the Etihad, and should play a key role again here at home.
Real Madrid vs. Man City longshot bet
- Pick: Real Madrid to win from behind
- Odds: +750 (DraftKings)
Eight of the last 10 goals conceded by Manchester City coming into this match have come in the second half, with another coming in first-half stoppage time. Even in their most recent 3-0 win over Sunderland, 0.64 of the 0.71 xG City conceded came after the interval.
City have been abysmal in the second half, consistently building leads and then putting themselves under pressure. Pep Guardiola is getting what he wants out of the starters, but those coming off the bench have not always looked capable of seeing out matches.
If Real Madrid find themselves trailing early, they should feel confident of turning the game around with a quality final 45 minutes.