Real Madrid vs AS Monaco
The post Alonso era at Real Madrid takes another turn on Tuesday when Los Blancos are in European action at home to AS Monaco in Round Seven of UEFA’s flagship competition.
It’s seventh versus 19th in the Champions League table but, after losing their opener, AS Monaco are unbeaten in their last five games in the competition, and sit fairly comfortably in the play-off positions, though the French side are struggling badly in their domestic league under head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.
Following the departure of Xabi Alonsi from the Bernabeu hot seat, Alvaro Arbeloa suffered a nightmare start as the interim Real Madrid boss, watching his team crash out of the Copa del Rey to Segunda Division side Albacete, but Los Blancos got back to winning ways in La Liga on Saturday.
The current Champions League 2026 betting odds rate the Madrid giants as potential quarter finalists for this competition, and that’s not the level Real bosses, and their fans, have come to expect. But it’s a case of one step at a time right now, and a win over Monaco will continue the club’s progress at home and in Europe.
Talking Points
The new man is off the mark
After losing the Supercopa final to Barcelona and then crashing out of the Copa del Rey to lower league opposition, Real Madrid’s clash with Levante went to plan as they ran out 2-0 winners to get Arbeloa his first win since stepping up from his job at Real Madrid B. He has the club in his blood having made 155 appearances as a full back, also winning 56 Spain caps, and he’s been in and around at the Bernabeu since making his Real Madrid C team debut as an 18 year old in 2002.
He’s been a coach at the club since 2020, working with the younger players and Arbeloa deserves his chance, but now he needs to deliver with a squad full of world class talent and huge egos. The top man Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock against Levante with a 56th minute penalty, his 19th league goal of the campaign, before Raul Asencio headed in a corner fro Arda Guler to seal the points.
A loss to Manchester City last time out in the Champions League, early in December, signalled the start of Los Blancos’ troubles and now Arbeloa has the chance to lay that ghost as well.
Monaco’s Ligue 1 woes continue
While Los Blancos’ problems have been off the field and in cup competitions, six defeats in seven have left AS Monaco well off the pace in the Ligue 1 title race, down in ninth place, seven points off the European spots and a whopping 20 points behind leaders Lens. So you can forgive their fans for looking forward to a European trip in a competition where they are having more fun. The 38 year old Pocognoli was appointed in October and he has struggled to make progress in the league, but his team certainly likes cup competitions, beating Galatasaray in the Champions League last time out and both Auxerre and Orleans in the Coupe de France recently.
Against Lorient on Saturday AS were back to their sloppy league form, going a goal behind to the mid table side before Ansu Fati levelled with his sixth league goal of the campaign. But two late goals in three minutes saw them lose 3-1, back to back home league defeats, and their league problems show no sign of ending.
Captained by Swiss midfield ace Denis Zakaria and with England man Eric Dier in defence this is a team with plenty of European experience and, if Fati has recovered from a sore hamstring the former Barcelona star will be a handful for Los Blancos’ defence. Paul Pogba has been struggling with a knee injury and this game will come too early for him; but if he gets fit and firing the former Manchester United man can help Monaco turn their season around.
They are labouring in the league; but Monaco’s Champions League 2026 results have been pretty good and the French giants will welcome the distraction in Madrid.
History
Real Madrid have been in some turmoil in recent weeks, but they still have a better recent record than Monaco with four wins and two losses from their last six games while the French club has won three and lost three in all competitions.
The two teams have only met twice previously, way back in 2004, and have won one each; Real Madrid winning 4-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu before Monaco won 3-1 back at the Stade Louis II.
Betting Tip
Los Blancos are red hot SBOTOP favourites to win this Euro clash at odds of 1.30 with Monaco way out at 10.00 and the draw at 6.00. Monaco’s last three games have all yielded four goals, two 3-1 losses and a 3-1 cup win over Orleans, while two of Madrid’s last three games have produced five goal matches…so I’m going for more goals.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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