There’s excitement in the air as Tuesday heralds the long-awaited return of this season’s UEFA Champions League competition. With the group stages in the books and the best teams progressing, we’re now playing knockout football over two legs. Teams now abandon their quest for three points and focus on securing an aggregate advantage over two legs. The opening leg is always critical as home teams aim to make the advantage count while the visitors hope to remain competitive.
The Round of 16 presents two games on Tuesday evening, and this fixture focuses on the standout fixture in Germany as Bundesliga side and Champions League regulars RB Leipzig host Spanish La Liga leaders Real Madrid in what’s sure to be a thriller. Which team will secure a first-leg lead ahead of the reverse in Spain? Keep reading as we preview the action, update readers on the stats, and make our well-researched predictions.
Bulls charge clear
RB Leipzig finished second in Group G behind Manchester City and was well clear of Young Boys in third place, with Red Star Belgrade in fourth. That group played out the way most football fans expected, with the current Premier League and Champions League winners pulling clear of the chasing pack and booking their spot in the next phase, with the Germans finishing as the best of the rest. The Bulls posted stats of four wins and two defeats, scoring 13 goals and conceding ten.
RB Leipzig was last in action at the weekend in the Bundesliga, drawing 2-2 away to FC Augsburg in a game they were expected to win. An away trip is never easy in the German top tier, but the Bulls looked like they needed more quality to leave with all three points. Goals from Openda and Sesko were matched by strikes from Tietz and Demirovic in a game that swung back and forth. On reflection, a draw was a fair result, and RB Leipzig must improve defensively before playing Madrid.
Madrid leads the way
Real Madrid did something the home team couldn’t, and that was to win their pool. The Spanish La Liga greats have won this trophy more times than any other Champions League team, and there’s no reason why they can’t add to an already impressive tally this term. They won Group C ahead of Napoli, with Sporting Braga dropping into the Europa League and FC Union Berlin ending fourth after making up the numbers.
Bet hereBlancos were worthy winners of their group, and they also lead the way in La Liga. The Spaniards lost the title to old rival Barcelona last season, which was a huge shock. They now sit in pole position after 24 games played with 61 points on the board, which is five points more than nearest rivals Girona, who is the league’s surprise package. Four wins and a draw in their last five have Real Madrid in a commanding position, and they arrive in Germany full of confidence.
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid prediction
The stats associated with this fixture show RB Leipzig and Real Madrid have met only twice before in competitive action. Interestingly, there has never been a draw in those two games, with both teams holding one win each. Real Madrid won 2-0 at home before RB Leipzig won by the odd goal in five in Germany. Armchair fans would certainly love another goal-fest.
Another competitive contest is expected, and RB Leipzig will be determined to make home advantage count. They’ll not want to go to Spain needing to win the game, but the Bulls’ fate is in their own hands. Judging by the recent form of both teams in their leagues and in this competition, Real Madrid looks like it’s good enough to secure victory if it plays to the best of its abilities.
Champions League odds
The pre-match betting odds are already available on this match to everyone with a 22Bet account, but which way do you expect the game to go? You can back RB Leipzig to score an invaluable home win at 3.12 or try your luck on Real Madrid winning on the road at 2.22. Fancy the draw? A level finish is 3.76.
In addition to the match-winner betting odds, 22Bet customers can also gamble on several specials, including both teams to score, handicap, first goalscorer, half-time/full-time and more. There’s a bet to suit every customer on Tuesday’s game broadcast live on TV.
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