Real Madrid vs Man City preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Madrid’s form this season, while far from poor, has fallen short of the high standards set by the club’s fans, who will not settle for another trophyless season.

After the shock defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday night, another defeat against Manchester City could seal the manager's fate.

Real Madrid are currently facing a significant crisis by their usual high standards, sitting four points below Barcelona in the La Liga title race.

Their recent form is alarming, with only two wins in their last seven games across all competitions, compounded by their first home loss of the season on Sunday against Celta Vigo.

However, victories over Juventus and Marseille at the Bernabeu mean Real Madrid head into Wednesday's blockbuster match with a 100% win rate in UCL home games, which should fill them with some confidence.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are hitting top form at the right time. They were at their brilliant best as they swatted Sunderland at the weekend, with Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden both dazzling in the 3-0 win, which saw them cut the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just two points.

City have failed to win any of the last 4 games against Los Blancos, making this match the perfect opportunity for Guardiola to get revenge against his long-time rivals.

Manchester City are aiming to avoid a third straight loss to Real Madrid, following last season's 6-3 aggregate defeat in the knockout round play-offs.

Historically, they have found the Bernabeu a difficult place to visit, having won only one of their seven previous trips to the stadium—a 2-1 triumph achieved in February 2020.

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.

Meanwhile, City will be without John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, and midfield anchor Rodri, who has not appeared in a competitive match since making a one-minute cameo in November’s 3-1 defeat of Bournemouth.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe

Man City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland

The sensational display 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 Madrid's injury-hit reserves.

If ever there was a time for Pep Guardiola to prove his credentials and dispatch Los Blancos, it is this week.

• Erling Haaland to score anytime

• Over 2.5 goals