Match Overview

The third-round match of the 2025/26 group stage will see Real Madrid (Spain) host Juventus (Italy) at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on October 22. This comprehensive preview provides a detailed prediction, betting tips, odds analysis, and key statistics for the Real Madrid vs Juventus encounter.

Real Madrid Analysis

Current Form and Recent Performance

In the previous round, Xabi Alonso’s side secured a dominant 5-0 away victory against Kairat. Forward Kylian Mbappé played a pivotal role in this win, netting his third away hat-trick in the Champions League, which propelled the Frenchman to the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with five goals. This emphatic result marked Real Madrid’s largest Champions League win since the 2021/22 season and also their first clean sheet in eight European matches. With six points, the Madrid giants currently occupy second place in the group standings.

Key Statistics for Real Madrid

• The team has remained undefeated in 19 of their last 21 home Champions League matches (16 wins, 3 draws).
• The club’s players have scored at least twice in 8 of their last 10 home European fixtures.
• Real Madrid has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 home Champions League games.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

Thibaut Courtois – Álvaro Carreras, Raúl Asensio, Éder Militão, Federico Valverde – Vinicius Júnior, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler – Kylian Mbappé. 

Real Madrid Team News

Defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy, along with midfielder Dani Ceballos, will miss the game due to injuries. Additionally, the participation of defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, David Alaba, and Dean Huijsen is doubtful due to injuries.

Juventus Analysis

Current Form and Recent Performance

Igor Tudor’s squad squandered a winning position in their last away fixture against Villarreal, allowing their opponents to equalize in the dying moments of the match (2-2). Consequently, Juventus has failed to win for the eighth time in their last ten Champions League outings (5 draws, 3 losses). Furthermore, the club has conceded at least two goals in 4 of their last 5 European encounters. The Bianconeri currently sit in 23rd place in the tournament standings with only two points. It’s worth noting that Juventus has remained unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 clashes against Spanish opponents in the Champions League group or general stages (4 wins, 3 draws).

Key Statistics for Juventus

• The club has failed to win in 10 of their last 11 away Champions League matches (5 draws, 5 losses).
• Both teams have scored in 7 of the team’s last 10 away European encounters.
• The Turin side has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 10 away Champions League games.

Juventus Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Michele Di Gregorio – Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Daniele Rugani – Andrea Cambiaso, Khéphren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Pierre Kalulu – Francisco Conceição, Jonathan David, Kenan Yıldız.

Juventus Team News

Defenders Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal, midfielder Fabio Miretti, and forward Edon Zhegrova are unavailable due to injuries.

Referee Information

Match Official: Slavko Vinčić

Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

Matches officiated – 19 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 67;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;

Red cards shown – 0;

Average fouls per match – 25;

Penalties awarded – 21%.

Match Prediction: Real Madrid vs Juventus

Real Madrid’s Attacking Prowess and Defensive Record

There’s no doubting Real Madrid’s offensive prowess; they consistently find the net at home. The last time the team failed to score at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League was against CSKA Moscow in 2018. Furthermore, in the current European campaign, the Royal Club has already scored seven goals, a tally only surpassed by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund (both with 8). However, it’s worth noting that Real Madrid has not kept a single clean sheet in their last 12 home Champions League matches.

Juventus’s Goalscoring Ability and Defensive Issues

Juventus has scored six goals in their first two Champions League matches this season, and the team generally has few issues with scoring. Even on the road, the Bianconeri are regular goalscorers: they have found the net in 13 of their last 17 away European fixtures, scoring at least twice in seven of those games. Nevertheless, defensive errors consistently plague the Italian side, often preventing them from securing victories. In their last 11 away Champions League matches, Juventus has managed to keep a clean sheet on only two occasions.

Final Betting Tip

Considering both teams’ offensive capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities, I anticipate an open game where both sides will find the back of the net. My prediction is: Both Teams to Score – Yes with odds of 1.70