RB Leipzig – Real Madrid : Preview & Prediction
It’s the start of the Champions League Round of 8! One of the big favourites for this year’s competition will be on the bill on this opening night. Real Madrid, 14-time winners of the UEFA Champions League, travel to the Red Bull Arena to take on RB Leipzig this Tuesday at 9pm. A double confrontation that remains highly anticipated. Currently 5th in the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig have raised their game just before the return of Europe’s premier club competition. In front of their home fans, the German outfit will be looking to stay alive ahead of a tricky trip to Madrid for the return leg. Real Madrid, for their part, are top of La Liga and will be keen to take an option on qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League this week.
RB Leipzig’s confidence is not necessarily high going into the first leg of their Champions League Round of 8 tie. After 3 straight Bundesliga defeats, they were hoping to get back on track with a 2-0 win over Union Berlin. However, they had to be content with a 2-2 draw at Augsburg last weekend. Currently 5th in the German league, Marco Rose’s team will have their work cut out against Real Madrid. In the group phase, they have already had to face a major player, in Manchester City. The German club had to make do with 2nd place in Group G, losing both their games against the Skyblues. As for Real Madrid, it’s a completely different story. They finished top of C1 Group C, winning all 6 of their matches. The Merengues have also just consolidated their position at the top of La Liga, with an easy 4-0 win over second-placed Girona. They have no intention of taking their foot off the pedal for the return leg of the Champions League.
Amadou Haidara will be unavailable to RB Leipzig for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 8. Marco Rose’s squad is full of talent to keep an eye on. It’s hard not to think of Loïs Openda. The Belgian striker has scored 19 goals so far this season. He also scored 4 goals in the C1! He will be accompanied by Xavi Simons, who is often in RB Leipzig’s good books. The young Dutchman has racked up 7 goals and 9 assists so far this season. As for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti will have to do without several of his key players. Thibaut Courtois has already been out for a long time and is unlikely to return any time soon. What’s more, the Madrid club is facing a veritable hecatomb in its central hinge, with David Alaba, Eder Militao and Antonio Rüdiger all unavailable. However, the return of Nacho could provide the club with at least one professional central defender for this fixture. Another major blow for Madrid is the absence of Jude Bellingham, who is suffering from a sprained ankle. Despite the major absences, Real Madrid have plenty of other assets, including Vinicius Junior (12 goals and 7 assists) and Rodrygo (13 goals and 7 assists).
RB Leipzig – Real Madrid : Betting Tips
Real Madrid – Win Odds: 1.65
