Real Madrid have knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League in both of the last two seasons, winning a penalty shootout at the Etihad in April 2024, before a 6-3 aggregate victory back in February.
The Sky Blues have only ever won one of six trips to the Bernabéu; Real Madrid have won five of their last ten home matches against Premier League sides, losing only two.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City preview
Between them, these two clubs have featured in seven of the last ten Champions League Finals, but neither are at the peak of their powers right now, so who will claim a statement win at the Bernabéu?
Manchester City saw their unbeaten record in this competition come to an end last time out, beaten 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola paid the price for making ten changes. Before this, the Sky Blues had accumulated ten points from their first four fixtures, beating Napoli, Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund, denied victory in Monaco by virtue of a stoppage time spot-kick. Nevertheless, with Bodø/Glimt in the Arctic Circle and then Galatasaray at home their January fixtures, the Citizens should yield enough to points to make sure they get into the top eight.
Meantime, in the Premier League, Man City have closed the gap at the top to just two points. They have enjoyed three successive victories in a week, coming out on top in chaotic, high-scoring matches against Leeds and Fulham, before demolishing Sunderland 3-0 on Saturday; Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol and Phil Foden all on target in that one. So now, as they return to the Spanish capital for a fifth successive season, will Manchester City claim a memorable victory?
On the flip side, defeat for Real Madrid could leave Xabi Alonso out of a job by Thursday morning. On Sunday night, los Blancos suffered just their second La Liga defeat of the season, catastrophically beaten 2-0 by Celta Vigo, ending the game down to nine men, after both Fran García and then Álvaro Carreras were sent off for second yellow cards. Los Merengues did beat Athletic Club 3-0 last Wednesday, but three successive draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche and then Girona, all on the road, leaves them four points adrift Barcelona, with pressure really mounting in Alonso.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid are doing just fine, winning their first three matches against Olympique de Marseille, Kairat and Juventus, before a 1-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool. Last time out, they took their points tally up to 12 by beating Olympiacos 4-3, Kylian Mbappé scoring all four in Piraeus, but their defending, or lack thereof, remains cause for concern. Their final two fixtures are against Monaco and Benfica, so los Blancos should also get into the top eight, but reports suggest that the players are not on board with Alonso, and Sunday's loss was certainly alarming. So, will Real Madrid spark into life, or will Manchester City claim a memorable win at he Bernabéu?
Real Madrid vs Manchester City head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 14.
- Real Madrid Wins: 6. Draws: 4. Manchester City Wins: 4.
Real Madrid team news
Éder Militão was forced off during the first half at the weekend, now set to spend four months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. This leaves Xabi Alonso very short of defenders, given that Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are already sidelined.
So, begrudgingly, Fede Valverde could fill in at right-back, with Antonio Rüdiger alongside Álvaro Carreras in the middle.
Further forward, Eduardo Camavinga would therefore come into midfield, with Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler further forward, while Alonso will continue to deploy his two superstars in attack, despite the lack of chemistry between them.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-4-2): Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Carreras, García; Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Bellingham, Güler; Mbappé, Vinícius.
Real Madrid player to watch vs Manchester City
Kylian Mbappé has scored 25 goals across all competitions already, representing 57% of all goals Real Madrid have managed, so can he add to his seven in seven career meetings with Man City?
Manchester City team news
As already mentioned, Pep Guardiola made ten changes on matchday five, Nico González the only man to keep his place, but will not do so again here.
Tijjani Reijnders could return to midfield, after Rayan Cherki started against Sunderland, while both Rodri and Mateo Kovačić remain sidelined. Bernardo Silva and Savinho would sit out next month's trip to Bodø/Glimt if cautioned by referee Clément Turpin.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid: (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Nico, Reijnders, Foden, Silva, Doku; Håland.
Manchester City player to watch vs Real Madrid
In the battle of the superstar strikers, Erling Braut Håland has scored just once across his last four appearances, which for him is an elongated draught. Nevertheless, he still has 20 to his name already while, in the Champions League, his record is 54 in 53 games, so can he score at the Bernabéu for the first time?
Real Madrid vs Manchester City prediction
Given Real Madrid's defensive injury crisis and recent poor results, we are backing Man City to claim a statement victory at the Bernabéu in a high-scoring clash: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City FAQs - UEFA Champions League
How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League on TV channel?
Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1.
- USA: CBS Sports Golazo & Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League on live streaming?
Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Real Madrid vs Manchester City in the Champions League?
Real Madrid vs Manchester City takes place on Wednesday 10 December 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PT).