Match Preview and Betting Insights

The 3rd round match of the 2025/26 group stage between “Real Madrid” (Spain) and “Juventus” (Italy) is scheduled for October 22nd at the iconic “Santiago Bernabéu” stadium. This comprehensive preview offers a forecast and betting insights, including key statistics for the Real Madrid vs Juventus fixture.

Real Madrid’s Dominant Form

In the previous round, Xabi Alonso’s squad traveled to face “Kairat” and secured a comfortable 5-0 victory. Striker Kylian Mbappé was instrumental, netting his third away hat-trick in the Champions League, which propelled him to the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with five goals. This result marked Real’s largest Champions League win since the 2021/22 season and their first clean sheet in eight consecutive European matches. The Madrid giants currently sit second in the group standings with six points.

Key Home Statistics for Real Madrid

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

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

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

Real Madrid Injury Report

Defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy, along with midfielder Dani Ceballos, are sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, the availability of defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, David Alaba, and Dean Huijsen is uncertain due to their respective injuries.

Juventus’ Recent Struggles and European Record

Igor Tudor’s team let a lead slip in their last away game against “Villarreal,” allowing their opponents to equalize late in the match (2-2). Consequently, Juventus has failed to win in eight of their last ten Champions League matches (5 draws, 3 losses). Furthermore, they have conceded at least two goals in 4 of their last 5 matches in this competition. The Turin side currently holds only two points, placing them 23rd in the tournament table. Notably, Juventus has a strong record against Spanish opposition in the Champions League group or general stage, having lost only one of their last eight encounters (4 wins, 3 draws).

Juventus Away Form Analysis

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

Juventus Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

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

Juventus Injury Update

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

Meet the Referee: Slavko Vinčić

Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

Referee’s Statistical Overview

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%.

Real Madrid’s Potent Attack at Home

Real Madrid’s attacking prowess at home is undeniable – they consistently find the back of the net. Their last failure to score in a home Champions League match was against CSKA Moscow back in 2018. Furthermore, in the current edition of this European competition, the royal club has already scored seven goals, a figure only surpassed by Bayern and Borussia Dortmund (with eight goals each). However, despite their attacking strength, Real Madrid has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 home Champions League matches.

Juventus: Goals Expected, Defense Questionable

Juventus has scored six goals in the first two Champions League rounds this season and generally faces few issues with goal-scoring. Even on the road, the Turin side scores regularly: they have found the net in 13 of their last 17 away matches in this European competition, scoring at least twice in seven of those fixtures. Nevertheless, the Italians are consistently plagued by defensive errors, which often hinder their chances of victory: in their last 11 away Champions League matches, Juventus has managed to keep a clean sheet on only two occasions.

Final Match Prediction: Both Teams to Score

I anticipate both teams will display effective attacking play in this fixture. Therefore, my prediction is: “Both Teams to Score – Yes” with odds of 1.70.

Author

Author: Dmitry Shchurko