Man City could condemn Xabi Alonso to unemployment if they can sink his Real Madrid at the Bernabeu this week.
Madrid’s form this season, while far from poor, has not met the sparkling standards set by the club’s higher-ups, who will not settle for second place in La Liga.
With City winless in their last four meetings with Los Blancos, this match provides an opportunity for Guardiola to get his own back against his long-time rivals.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Real Madrid vs Man City is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
The match will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain.
The Santiago Bernabeu will host Man City on Wednesday evening
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Where to watch Real Madrid vs Man City
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Real Madrid vs Man City team news
Man City are sweating on the fitness of Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who has not appeared in a competitive match since making a one-minute cameo in November’s 3-1 defeat of Bournemouth.
Elsewhere for City, Mateo Kovacic remains out.
Real Madrid will be without Eder Militao for the match after he came off with an apparent hamstring injury during Sunday’s defeat by Celta.
There is now a very real defensive injury crisis gripping the Bernabeu. Real are also without Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy, meaning Alonso will be forced to thoroughly shuffle the deck as he bids to save his job.
Eder Militao is the latest addition to Real Madrid’s growing list of defensive injuries
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Huijsen is facing a late fitness test for the match, though, leaving Alonso with a shred of optimism.
Jude Bellingham is expected to feature despite suffering a nasty-looking cut above his eye against Celta.
Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras are both suspended domestically and will be available to face Man City.
In the wars: Jude Bellingham
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Real Madrid vs Man City prediction
This match falls at a fortunate time for City. While their attack is the best it has been for some time, Real’s defence has rarely been more depleted.
The show put on by Foden and Cherki this weekend as Sunderland were dispatched 3-0 would strike fear into Europe’s finest defenders, much less Real’s reserves.
If ever there was a time for Guardiola to prove his credentials and dispatch Los Blancos, it is this week.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These two sides have shared a storied Champions League rivalry in recent years. Los Blancos dumped City out of the competition in last season’s knock-out play-off, and also sent them packing in the quarter-finals the year before.
Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick knocked Man City out of the Champions League on their most recent visit to Madrid
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Real Madrid vs Man City match odds
Real Madrid to win: 13/10
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
