Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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THE FACTS
When is Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig on and what time does it start? Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig will take place on Wednesday 6th February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig on in the UK? Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig in the UK? Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
REAL MADRID
With nine wins and a draw from their last ten home Champions League fixtures, any outcome other than progression to the quarter-finals for Real Madrid by the end of this tie would serve as a massive shock. Especially with a 1-0 aggregate lead safely in place, which Los Blancos gained following a hard-fought first-leg triumph on the road. Brahim Diaz’s excellent solo goal was enough to separate the two teams, whilst goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was in fine form between the sticks.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side head into the second-leg as overwhelming favourites and rightly so when considering their home record against German clubs in Europe, which currently spans 17 matches with just a single defeat to their name. The attacking firepower at their disposal makes them more than likely to find the net at least once, which would require RB Leipzig to pull off something truly special to overcome them.
RB LEIPZIG
RB Leipzig can at least take a huge positive from how well they played against Real Madrid over the course of the first-leg, accumulating nine shots on target. Unfortunately, a lack of potency cost them dear and such is the unforgiving nature of the Champions League, the Bundesliga outfit were left wondering how on earth they wound up on the losing side without a goal to their name.
With a one-goal deficit on aggregate, they’ll be looking to replicate their performance of the first-leg but with a clinical edge in front of goal, which Leipzig will need if they are to stand any chance here. Having scored at least twice in five of their last seven across all competitions, they do boast the offensive tools needed to pull off an upset.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL MADRID
After missing the first-leg in Leipzig through injury, the availability of Jude Bellingham only serves to strengthen Real Madrid further, the England international having recorded four goals and three assists across the group stage. However, this second-leg comes too soon for centre-back Eder Militao, who is continuing his recovery from an ACL injury. Both David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois remain out, also with ACL injuries.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvalhal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE: Alaba (Injured), Courtois (Injured), Militao (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RB LEIPZIG
With defenders Mohamed Simakan and Lukas Klostermann both missing, the former through suspension and the latter due to injury, Castello Lukeba is expected to line-up at centre-back for RB Leipzig alongside skipper Willi Orban. After suspension kept him out of his side’s most recent Bundesliga fixture this past weekend, Xavi Schlager should return to the starting line-up in the centre of midfield.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-2-2): Gulacsi; Henrichs, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Haidara, Schlager; Olmo, Simons; Poulsen, Sesko
UNAVAILABLE: Simakan (Suspended), Klostermann (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Real Madrid have lost only two of their last 22 UEFA club competition matches (W18 D2).
- Real Madrid have not lost a competitive home match since a 3-2 defeat against Villarreal in April 2023 in their domestic league.
- The last time Real Madrid failed to score in a UEFA Champions League knockout phase match at home was in April 2011 vs Barcelona (L 2-0 SF).
- Real Madrid have only failed to score in one of their last 71 UEFA Champions League matches at home.
- Real Madrid have won 36 of the 38 ties in which they recorded an away first-leg win in UEFA competition.
- RB Leipzig have won three of their previous six UEFA competition matches against Spanish teams (D1 L2).
- RB Leipzig have won the second leg in only four of their previous 12 UEFA competition two-legged ties.
- RB Leipzig are without a win in their last five matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 (D1 L4).
- RB Leipzig have failed to score in four of their last five matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
THE PREDICTION
You can’t help but feel that RB Leipzig spurned a golden opportunity in Germany. Taking on a Real Madrid side without Bellingham, Marco Rose’s side dominated large periods of the first-leg but failed to take their chances and were duly punished. Now they go away to Madrid with a mountain to climb. With Bellingham back, expect Real Madrid to be much-improved across the pitch and the electric pace of attacking duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo should see them create plenty of opportunities. Class is expected to have told by the end of this one and backing Real Madrid to win the second-leg by at least two clear goals looks a smart play.
TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
