Real Madrid – Manchester City: Will this be Xabi Alonso’s final match?
In the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid take on Manchester City. The match is set for Wednesday, December 10, with kick-off at 21:00 CET, and I’m offering you a betting angle for this clash.
Real Madrid – Manchester City: Match facts and H2H
- Real Madrid have lost just once in their last six matches, drawing three times.
- Manchester City have won their last three games.
- At home, Real Madrid have suffered only one defeat this season.
- Only 10% of Real Madrid’s matches this season have ended in a scoreless defeat; for Manchester City, that figure is 14%.
- Manchester City have recorded more clean-sheet wins: 41% compared to Real Madrid’s 38%.
- City have scored in both halves in 50% of their matches this season; Real have done so in 38%.
- Real Madrid average 2.40 goals per game, while Manchester City average two.
- Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3–1 in their previous head-to-head encounter.
Real Madrid – Manchester City: Match preview
Real are coming off a 0–2 defeat to Celta, turning this into a pivotal match for Xabi Alonso. Reports suggest that another loss could cost him his job. Yet in the UEFA Champions League, the Royal Club have been performing well. They have lost only to Liverpool (0–1) while winning their remaining four group-stage matches. With 12 points from five rounds, they sit just three points off the top. However, the gap to ninth place is only two points, keeping the race for a direct spot in the round of 16 wide open.
Manchester City currently occupy ninth place in the standings. With ten points from five fixtures, they trail Real by just two. A victory in Madrid could significantly elevate their position. But the group is extremely tight, and the battle will likely continue until the final matchday. City have three wins from five matches, a draw with Monaco, and a 0–2 defeat to Leverkusen in their most recent outing.
Probable line-ups
- Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asensio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappé
- Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Prediction
This is a massive match for both sides, and we should expect a compelling contest. I foresee a high-scoring encounter and suggest a bet on the total over three goals.
