Matchday 6 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage between Real Madrid (Spain) and Manchester City (England) will take place on December 10 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Real Madrid – Manchester City: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Madrid
Despite a tense atmosphere and plenty of speculation surrounding the club, Real remain among the group leaders in the Champions League. Two weeks ago the Spaniards secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Olympiacos. The team conceded more goals in that single match (3) than across the previous four fixtures in this competition, yet the key takeaway is four wins from the opening five games. The only slip-up came away to Liverpool (0-1). Notably, the Madrid side have won 13 of their last 14 home matches in Champions League group or knockout stages, and their home scoring run in this competition has stretched to 38 matches. Real sit fifth in the group table, with three teams ahead on goal difference. Some media outlets suggest this tie could prove decisive for head coach Xabi Alonso.
- Real have scored in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
- The club's uncompromising record in this competition spans 21 matches (14 wins, 7 defeats).
- Real have conceded in 12 of their last 13 home Champions League games.
Predicted Real Madrid line-up (3-5-2)
Thibaut Courtois – Raul Asensio, Antonio Rüdiger, Alvaro Carreras – Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Fran García – Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García.
Defenders Dean Huysen, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão will miss the game through injury. The participation of forward Kylian Mbappé and midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Franco Mastantuono is doubtful.
Manchester City
The English side went through the first half of the group stage unbeaten, collecting 10 points from a possible 12 across four rounds. However, in the previous match Manchester City suffered a surprise home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen (0-2) and failed to score after an eight-game scoring streak in the Champions League. Throughout this European campaign the club had consistently managed at least two goals per game. The dropped points left City down in ninth in the group standings, eliminating them from an automatic spot in the round of 16, although they remain just two points off second place. Manchester City have won six of their last seven matches against Spanish opposition in Champions League group or knockout stages.
- City have conceded in 10 of their previous 12 Champions League matches.
- At least 2 goals have been scored in 14 consecutive Champions League games involving the club.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in 14 of their last 18 away Champions League fixtures (7 wins, 7 draws).
Predicted Manchester City line-up (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Mateus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Aké – Niko González, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders – Phil Foden, Savinho, Erling Haaland.
Defender John Stones, and midfielders Mateo Kovačić and Rodri Hernández are unavailable due to injury.
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
Matches – 7 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 71%.
Match prediction: Real Madrid – Manchester City
Matches between Real Madrid and Manchester City have become a Champions League classic, with the teams meeting regularly and often producing entertaining contests. In 9 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings in the competition both teams scored, and in 8 of those 10 matches there were at least three goals. At the Bernabéu this exchange of goals has occurred in five consecutive Champions League meetings, four of which produced over 2.5 goals.
Looking at each team's recent form, Real have seen three goals or more in 11 of their last 14 Champions League matches. The same threshold was reached in 12 of their last 14 home games in the competition, and only twice in those 14 did one team fail to score. Manchester City show an even higher entertainment level away from home: at least three goals were scored in 10 of their last 12 Champions League away fixtures, and both teams have scored in 12 of their last 15 away games in this competition.
Prediction: Both teams to score – Yes + Total over 2.5
