Real Madrid vs Monaco Predictions

• Real Madrid have conceded six goals across their last three Champions League games
• Monaco have scored in five of their six European outings this season
• The visitors have the 10th-highest xG tally in the League Phase so far

Tricky European debut for Arbeloa

After losing 3-2 in his debut in the Real Madrid dugout against second-tier Albacete, Alvaro Arbeloa claimed his first win in Saturday’s clash with Levante. The remit for Xabi Alonso’s successor will be to chase down Barcelona domestically and to wrestle the Champions League back from PSG.

Arbeloa’s opening European game looks straightforward at first glance, with opponents Monaco sitting in mid-table in Ligue 1. The visitors have lost all but one of their league games since the start of November, but their sole victory came at home to PSG, showing how they can raise their game for the big occasions.

Monaco have done that in Europe this season, too. They’re unbeaten across their last five Champions League games, which has left them 17th in the table. The Ligue 1 outfit have shown plenty of attacking intent, as only nine sides have topped their xG tally of 11.5.

Monaco have scored in five of their six European outings, while they’ve recorded at least 1.3 xG in all six games. Alonso’s Real conceded six times across their last three games in this competition, so both teams to score appeals.