Preview
Welcome to our Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction, where we break down the big UEFA Champions League fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu on January 20, 2026. With both teams needing points to keep their European dreams alive, this match promises plenty of drama, tactical intrigue, and, if the stats are right, a healthy dose of goals.
Real Madrid fans have barely had time to process the managerial shake-up. After a string of disappointing results—including a 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to Albacete and a Supercopa de España final loss to Barcelona—Xabi Alonso was shown the door. In steps Álvaro Arbeloa, a familiar face from Castilla, tasked with steadying the ship. The return of Antonio Pintus as physical trainer has lifted spirits, but the injury list remains a headache. Eder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy are all sidelined, while Antonio Rüdiger is racing the clock to be fit. Kylian Mbappé, in electric form with 29 goals in 25 matches, is expected to lead the line, supported by the in-form Gonzalo García.
Monaco, meanwhile, are limping into Madrid—literally. Coach Sébastien Pocognoli has had to juggle a squad ravaged by injuries and suspensions. Paul Pogba’s calf refuses to cooperate, Lukas Hradecký is out until March, and Takumi Minamino won’t be back until August. Add in a handful of suspensions and you have a team that’s been forced to dig deep into its reserves. Despite this, Monaco stunned PSG with a 1-0 win in November and edged Galatasaray in their last Champions League outing, showing they can still punch above their weight.
Under Arbeloa, Real Madrid are expected to stick with a possession-heavy approach, likely lining up in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 Holding formation. Expect Los Blancos to dominate the ball—our numbers suggest a whopping 68% possession—while Monaco will look to stay compact and hit on the break. The home side’s market value dwarfs Monaco’s (€1.348bn vs €339.55m), and that gulf is reflected in the predicted stats: 19 shots (7 on target) for Madrid, compared to just 7 (2 on target) for the visitors.
Historically, these two don’t meet often, but when they do, sparks fly. Monaco famously knocked Madrid out in 2004, but the tables have turned since then, with the Spanish giants now clear favorites in the betting odds.
Our Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction leans heavily towards a home win, and it’s not just the bookmakers who think so. NerdyTips’ AI gives a trust score of 10/10 for a Madrid victory (odds 1.34), and the data backs up a high-scoring affair. With Madrid averaging over two goals per Champions League game and Monaco’s defense stretched thin, the HS2+ bet (home team to score at least two) is as close to a banker as you’ll find, with a trust level of 10/10 and odds of 1.28.
If you’re looking for more value, the over 2.5 goals market is also appealing. Both teams have shown they can score—Madrid with their attacking firepower, Monaco with their knack for surprising the big boys. The AI predicts a 3-2 thriller, so goals should be on the menu.
In conclusion, our Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction is a home win with over 2.5 total goals. Expect a lively contest, some nervy moments for Madrid’s new boss, and a Monaco side determined to make life difficult. But with the odds, stats, and AI all pointing one way, Los Blancos should have enough to get the job done—just don’t be surprised if Monaco make them sweat a little.
Welcome to our Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction, where we break down the big UEFA Champions League fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu on January 20, 2026. With both teams needing points to keep their European dreams alive, this match promises plenty of drama, tactical intrigue, and, if the stats are right, a healthy dose of goals.
Real Madrid fans have barely had time to process the managerial shake-up. After a string of disappointing results—including a 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to Albacete and a Supercopa de España final loss to Barcelona—Xabi Alonso was shown the door. In steps Álvaro Arbeloa, a familiar face from Castilla, tasked with steadying the ship. The return of Antonio Pintus as physical trainer has lifted spirits, but the injury list remains a headache. Eder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy are all sidelined, while Antonio Rüdiger is racing the clock to be fit. Kylian Mbappé, in electric form with 29 goals in 25 matches, is expected to lead the line, supported by the in-form Gonzalo García.
Monaco, meanwhile, are limping into Madrid—literally. Coach Sébastien Pocognoli has had to juggle a squad ravaged by injuries and suspensions. Paul Pogba’s calf refuses to cooperate, Lukas Hradecký is out until March, and Takumi Minamino won’t be back until August. Add in a handful of suspensions and you have a team that’s been forced to dig deep into its reserves. Despite this, Monaco stunned PSG with a 1-0 win in November and edged Galatasaray in their last Champions League outing, showing they can still punch above their weight.
Under Arbeloa, Real Madrid are expected to stick with a possession-heavy approach, likely lining up in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 Holding formation. Expect Los Blancos to dominate the ball—our numbers suggest a whopping 68% possession—while Monaco will look to stay compact and hit on the break. The home side’s market value dwarfs Monaco’s (€1.348bn vs €339.55m), and that gulf is reflected in the predicted stats: 19 shots (7 on target) for Madrid, compared to just 7 (2 on target) for the visitors.
Historically, these two don’t meet often, but when they do, sparks fly. Monaco famously knocked Madrid out in 2004, but the tables have turned since then, with the Spanish giants now clear favorites in the betting odds.
Our Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction leans heavily towards a home win, and it’s not just the bookmakers who think so. NerdyTips’ AI gives a trust score of 10/10 for a Madrid victory (odds 1.34), and the data backs up a high-scoring affair. With Madrid averaging over two goals per Champions League game and Monaco’s defense stretched thin, the HS2+ bet (home team to score at least two) is as close to a banker as you’ll find, with a trust level of 10/10 and odds of 1.28.
If you’re looking for more value, the over 2.5 goals market is also appealing. Both teams have shown they can score—Madrid with their attacking firepower, Monaco with their knack for surprising the big boys. The AI predicts a 3-2 thriller, so goals should be on the menu.
In conclusion, our Real Madrid vs Monaco prediction is a home win with over 2.5 total goals. Expect a lively contest, some nervy moments for Madrid’s new boss, and a Monaco side determined to make life difficult. But with the odds, stats, and AI all pointing one way, Los Blancos should have enough to get the job done—just don’t be surprised if Monaco make them sweat a little.
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HS2+ -357
Real Madrid is expected to score at least 2 goals with odds of -3571 -294
Real Madrid is expected to win with odds of -294Over 2.5 -286
At least 3 goals will be scored in the matchYes -164
Both teams are expected to score
1:1
3:2
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0
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0
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0
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| 01 Feb |
Real Madri.
|
-
| Vallecano.
| |
| 24 Jan | W |
Villarreal.
|
0:2
| Real Madri.
|
| 20 Jan | W |
Real Madri.
|
6:1
| Monaco.
|
| 17 Jan | W |
Real Madri.
|
2:0
| Levante.
|
| 14 Jan | L |
Albacete.
|
3:2
| Real Madri.
|
| 11 Jan | L |
Barcelona.
|
3:2
| Real Madri.
|
| 08 Jan | W |
Atl. Madri.
|
1:2
| Real Madri.
|
| 04 Jan | W |
Real Madri.
|
5:1
| Betis.
|
| 20 Dec | W |
Real Madri.
|
2:0
| Sevilla.
|
| 17 Dec | W |
CF Talaver.
|
2:3
| Real Madri.
|
| 31 Jan | Monaco. |
- |
Rennes.![]() | |
| 24 Jan | D | Le Havre. |
0:0 |
Monaco.![]() |
| 20 Jan | L | Real Madri. |
6:1 |
Monaco.![]() |
| 16 Jan | L | Monaco. |
1:3 |
Lorient.![]() |
| 10 Jan | W | Orleans. |
1:3 |
Monaco.![]() |
| 03 Jan | L | Monaco. |
1:3 |
Lyon.![]() |
| 21 Dec | W | Auxerre. |
1:2 |
Monaco.![]() |
| 14 Dec | L | Marseille. |
1:0 |
Monaco.![]() |
| 09 Dec | W | Monaco. |
1:0 |
Galatasara.![]() |
| 05 Dec | L | Brest. |
1:0 |
Monaco.![]() |
World - UEFA Champions League| Team | Matches | Goals | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Arsenal | 7 | 20-2 | 21 |
| 2 |
Bayern | 7 | 20-7 | 18 |
| 3 |
Real Madrid | 7 | 19-8 | 15 |
| 4 |
Liverpool | 7 | 14-8 | 15 |
| 5 |
Tottenham | 7 | 15-7 | 14 |
| 6 |
Paris Saint | 7 | 20-10 | 13 |
| 7 |
Newcastle | 7 | 16-6 | 13 |
| 8 |
Chelsea | 7 | 14-8 | 13 |
| 9 |
Barcelona | 7 | 18-13 | 13 |
| 10 |
Sporting CP | 7 | 14-9 | 13 |
| 11 |
Manchester | 7 | 13-9 | 13 |
| 12 |
Atletico | 7 | 16-13 | 13 |
| 13 |
Atalanta | 7 | 10-9 | 13 |
| 14 |
Inter | 7 | 13-7 | 12 |
| 15 |
Juventus | 7 | 14-10 | 12 |
| 16 |
Borussia | 7 | 19-15 | 11 |
| 17 |
Galatasaray | 7 | 9-9 | 10 |
| 18 |
Qarabag | 7 | 13-15 | 10 |
| 19 |
Marseille | 7 | 11-11 | 9 |
| 20 |
Bayer | 7 | 10-14 | 9 |
| 21 |
Monaco | 7 | 8-14 | 9 |
| 22 |
PSV Eindhoven | 7 | 15-14 | 8 |
| 23 |
Athletic Club | 7 | 7-11 | 8 |
| 24 |
Olympiakos | 7 | 8-13 | 8 |
| 25 |
Napoli | 7 | 7-12 | 8 |
| 26 |
FC Copenhagen | 7 | 11-17 | 8 |
| 27 |
Club Brugge KV | 7 | 12-17 | 7 |
| 28 |
Bodo/Glimt | 7 | 12-14 | 6 |
| 29 |
Benfica | 7 | 6-10 | 6 |
| 30 |
Pafos | 7 | 4-10 | 6 |
| 31 |
Union St. | 7 | 7-17 | 6 |
| 32 |
Ajax | 7 | 7-19 | 6 |
| 33 |
Eintracht | 7 | 10-19 | 4 |
| 34 |
Slavia Praha | 7 | 4-15 | 3 |
| 35 |
Villarreal | 7 | 5-15 | 1 |
| 36 |
Kairat Almaty | 7 | 5-19 | 1 |