RB Leipzig’s Champions League survival is potentially at stake as Group F leaders Real Madrid arrive at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday.
Leipzig battled back from an underwhelming two-game winless Champions League start to remain in contention for their third knock-out appearance in four years.
Marco Rose’s appointment as a new chief of staff in the wake of a 2-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu in the reverse fixture has turned the Germans’ fortunes around.
Die Roten Bullen have won both Champions League matches under the new manager, beating Celtic via a two-goal margin on each occasion to seize control of the runner-up spot.
If they can avenge their defeat in Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk slump in Glasgow to the Hoops, Leipzig may even seal their progression with a game to spare.
However, beating Los Blancos has been a task no one has accomplished this season, not even Barcelona, who found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline last weekend.
Despite having already locked down their place in the Champions League round of 16 with two matches to spare, the defending champions are unlikely to surrender their illustrious 16-game unbeaten 2022/23 start (W14, D2).
Carlo Ancelotti may opt to field some fringe players in Germany. But it shouldn’t derail Madrid’s bid to uphold their imperious travelling record, having lost just once on their last ten Champions League road trips (W7, D2).
Newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema could return to the starting XI after being rested in a 3-1 humbling of Sevilla at the weekend, which saw Federico Valverde bag another screamer.
Match Preview
RB Leipzig
Red Bull Arena has been a venue of entertainment in the Champions League, as 12 of Leipzig’s 16 home outings in this competition have seen both teams scoring.
Head coach Rose wouldn’t mind another clean sheet for a change after seeing his men shut out Celtic in a 2-0 win at Parkhead last time out, a feat they’ve achieved just twice in 16 Champions League home games.
Despite entering this encounter amid the club’s worst-ever 11-match Bundesliga start, Leipzig can draw confidence from a sensational three-goal comeback to hold Augsburg to an enthralling 3-3 stalemate on Saturday.
Real Madrid
Madrid’s eye-catching eight-game form away to German adversaries in the Champions League (W5, D2, L1) fills Ancelotti with the belief that his side can stretch their ten-match unbeaten run on the road (W8, D2).
Home and away, Los Merengues haven’t lost any of their last 13 European showdowns against Bundesliga sides (W9, D4), notably scoring two or more goals on each occasion.
Adding to Madrid’s confidence, they have won their last four Champions League away fixtures without conceding after previously losing just once on their nine travels in the competition (W7, D1).
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid Potential Line-ups
RB Leipzig (4-2-3-1): Janis Blaswich; Mohamed Simakan, Willi Orban, Josko Gvardiol, David Raum; Amadou Haidara, Xaver Schlager; Dominik Szoboszlai, Christopher Nkunku, Timo Werner; Andre Silva.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Rodrygo, Karim Benzema.
How to Watch?
Leipzig vs Real Madrid, alongside all other matches in Europe’s most prestigious club competition this season, is available to watch online via Champions League live streams.
And if you are interested in attending a future UCL game, see our Champions League tickets page for more information.
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid Prediction
Given Leipzig’s renaissance under Rose, it’s hard to back Madrid for success here, especially considering Ancelotti could rotate his squad in this match.
However, it’s even more difficult to see the Germans walking away with all three points.
We expect a scoring draw to be the order of the day.
RB Leipzig 1-1 Real Madrid
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