UCL Showdown: Real Madrid vs Manchester City – Injuries, Head-To-Head And Expected Lineups

Real Madrid are set to renew their newly found rivalry in the UEFA Champions League when they lock horns at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night (10, pm kick-off).

While three points will go a long way in shaping the two teams’ qualification hopes for the last 16, a mentor and his protégé will also butt heads. The Cityzens’ coach Pep Guardiola was Xabi Alonso’s coach during the duo’s illustrious spell at Bayern Munich.

Guardiola, moreover, will be optimistic about getting one over Alonso, given that he has a slightly cleaner bill of health compared to Los Blancos, who are enduring more setbacks in the medical room.

Recent Form

• Real Madrid (last 5 UCL games): W–W–W–L–W
• Manchester City (last 5 UCL games): W–D–W–W–L

Injuries

Real Madrid:

• Éder Militão (muscle)
• Dani Carvajal (knee)
• Trent Alexander-Arnold (muscle)
• David Alaba (calf)
• Dean Huijsen (strain)
• Ferland Mendy (muscle)
• Eduardo Camavinga (ankle)
• Kylian Mbappé (doubt - thigh)

Manchester City:

• Mateo Kovačić (ankle)
• Rodri (knock)
• John Stones (leg)

Key Players

Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is expected to show no love lost when he comes up against his fellow English side, City. He will want to continue proving to his compatriots that he has grown in leaps and bounds since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City – Rayan Cherki

Cherki had an impressive outing in his last game for City, delivering a sensational rabona assist for Phil Foden. Given the stakes in Madrid, he’ll want to contribute again - either through assists or goals.

Head-To-Head In The UCL

• Games played: 14
• Real Madrid wins: 5
• Manchester City wins: 4
• Draws: 5

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asensio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Ceballos; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius; García

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Núñez, O’Reilly, Dias, Gvardiol; González, Reijnders; Doku, Cherki, Foden; Haaland

Disclaimer: The above lineups are predictions and may not reflect the official team sheets, which are usually released closer to kick-off.

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