Real Madrid Clash with Monaco: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect
Álvaro Arbeloa will make his Champions League coaching debut on Tuesday evening, as Real Madrid host Monaco at a tense Santiago Bernabéu for Matchday 7 of the league stage.
Arbeloa's tenure, which many believe will be short-lived, began with a shocking 3–2 loss to second-division Albacete in the Copa del Rey, sparking scenes of unrest at home over the weekend.
Demands for Florentino Pérez to step down as president echoed throughout the Bernabéu during Madrid's 2–0 win over Levante, which means, following Barcelona's 2–1 defeat at Real Sociedad, that Los Blancos trail the La Liga frontrunners by just one point.
The 15-time European titleholders suffered two defeats under Xabi Alonso during their opening six league stage matches this season, but they remain well-positioned to secure automatic qualification for the last 16. Madrid occupy seventh place in the standings, while their next opponents sit in 19th despite suffering just one loss.
Monaco's choice to replace Adi Hütter with Sébastien Pocognoli appears questionable, with the Belgian's team languishing in ninth place in Ligue 1.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the match.
What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Monaco Kick Off?
What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Monaco Kick Off?
Real Madrid vs. Monaco Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Real Madrid vs. Monaco Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Real Madrid | Monaco |
|---|---|
Real Madrid 2–0 Levante - 1/17/26 | Monaco 1–3 Lorient - 1/16/26 |
Albacete 3–2 Real Madrid - 1/14/26 | US Orléans 1–3 Monaco - 1/10/26 |
Barcelona 3–2 Real Madrid - 1/11/26 | Monaco 1–3 Lyon - 1/3/26 |
Atlético Madrid 1–2 Real Madrid - 1/8/26 | Auxerre 1–2 Monaco - 12/21/25 |
Real Madrid 5–1 Real Betis - 1/4/26 | Marseille 1–0 Monaco - 12/14/25 |
How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Monaco on TV, Live Stream
How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Monaco on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App |
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 2, discovery+, discovery+ App, TNT Sports 8 |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | TNT Sports, Max Mexico, TNT Go |
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid Team News
Rodrygo returned to training before Tuesday's fixture, but the Brazilian winger has been omitted from Arbeloa's matchday squad.
Gonzalo García was selected in Madrid's attack over the weekend in Rodrygo's place, but we might see young Argentine Franco Mastantuono receive an opportunity here. Arda Güler represents another alternative, having mostly featured in a deeper position under Alonso.
Kylian Mbappé emerged unharmed from the Levante encounter and will spearhead the attack, while Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, who bore the brunt of supporter criticism last time out, should partner with the French striker in the forward line.
Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Éder Militão continue to be unavailable for the home side, while Brahim Díaz's impressive Africa Cup of Nations journey concluded in disappointment on Sunday. Álvaro Carreras serves a suspension, so Fran García should feature at left-back.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Monaco
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Monaco
Real Madrid expected lineup vs. Monaco (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, García; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Mastantuono, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappé.
Monaco Team News
Monaco Team News
Wout Faes partnered Eric Dier in central defense on Saturday for the away team, but the Belgian defender cannot be registered for Monaco's Champions League roster until the subsequent phase, should they progress.
Thilo Kehrer may therefore return to Pocognoli's lineup in Madrid, with Monaco currently missing Mohammed Salisu due to injury.
Christian Mawissa, Takumi Minamino and Lukas Hradecky are also ruled out, while Paul Pogba is managing a calf problem.
Lamine Camara will not feature on Tuesday evening, having secured AFCON success with Senegal.
Monaco Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Monaco Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Monaco expected lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Köhn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Dier, Henrique; Teze, Zakaria, Golovin; Akliouche; Balogun, Biereth.
Real Madrid vs. Monaco Score Prediction
Real Madrid vs. Monaco Score Prediction
Sunday's display was hardly convincing, with Madrid securing victory against Levante through a Mbappé spot-kick and a Raúl Asencio header from a dead ball situation.
The hostile atmosphere clearly appeared to impact their performance, and it will be fascinating to observe the level of home support dissatisfaction on Tuesday evening.
Nevertheless, the home team faces a struggling Monaco outfit that lacks several important players for this away trip, including midfield ace Camara.
Pocognoli has yet to extract the best from this gifted squad of players, and while Arbeloa's Madrid are far from invincible, the home side, despite current tensions, should manage a comfortable victory over the French club.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2–0 Monaco