Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Latest City injury news and predicted City starting XI. | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. Tonight’s opponents and venue will hold no fears for Pep Guardiola’s side. This is the fifth consecutive meeting between the two teams in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Real Madrid enter tonight’s match with Eder Militao, David Alaba, Alvaro Carreras, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo all unavailable due to injury. Despite this, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will be a tough opponent in front of their home support. Pep Guardiola’s side knows the challenge that awaits them in Madrid tonight.

Here is the latest Manchester City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of tonight’s match.

Latest Manchester City injury and team news.

Manchester City enter tonight’s match with only two first team players unavailable. Josko Gvardiol is ruled out of tonight’s match due to the tibial fracture he sustained in his right leg against Chelsea at the beginning of 2026. Gvardiol isn’t expected to return from injury until the latter stages of this season. Mateo Kovacic is back in training after a lengthy absence due to surgery he had to rectify an ongoing Achilles issue. Kovacic is working his way back to full fitness, but tonight’s match has come too soon for the Croatian international.

Manchester City named their traveling squad for tonight’s match late yesterday. Erling Haaland has travelled for tonight’s match after being rested from Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle in their FA Cup fifth-round tie win at St. James’ Park. The strength and depth of Manchester City’s traveling squad shows the options at Pep Guardiola’s disposal for tonight’s match.

Predicted City starting eleven.

On paper, it does seem that the Manchester City starting lineup would be relatively easy to predict, especially considering what is at stake in tonight’s match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. I’ve played it safe with my predicted City starting lineup, believing that Pep Guardiola will want experience at the back and a semblance of control in possession, which Rayan Cherki can provide if the French international starts on the right. Cherki can drift into midfield and form a formidable midfield unit with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Nico. Having said all of that, there is a case for several other players to start tonight.

The first player who has a strong case to start tonight is Abdukodir Khusanov. Khusanov has been in superb form throughout 2026. His pace, strength, and ability to read danger could greatly aid Manchester City’s cause tonight, especially given that Vinicius Junior looms as Real Madrid’s biggest attacking threat. Perhaps Khusanov could start at right-back to deal with the threat of Vinicius Junior, or he could start at center-back, although I expect Dias and Guehi to start in the heart of Manchester City’s defence.

There is also a case for any one of Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, or Savinho to start, given their impressive displays against Newcastle. All three players are in form and offer a different element to Manchester City’s attack. Doku and Savinho bring pace and immense dribbling ability. Pep Guardiola could go for either of those players tonight. Omar Marmoush is in form after his brace against Newcastle. He did start with Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo at Anfield in City’s fabulous come-from-behind win. Perhaps that is an option Pep Guardiola could select in a bid to go at Real Madrid tonight.

I believe Pep Guardiola will aim to control tonight’s match in typical Manchester City fashion. My predicted City starting lineup can be seen below.