Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig preview, details, team news, line-ups and prediction

Real Madrid will hope to capitalize on their 1:0 advantage when they host RB Leipzig in the second-leg clash of the Champions League round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A stupendous individual effort from Brahim Diaz in the 48th minute of the tie gave Madrid the all-important victory from the first leg. 

Leipzig started the game brightly and should have taken the lead when Benjamin Šeško connected swiftly to Xaver Schlager’s cross to head in the opener. However, the goal didn’t stand as he was ruled offside.

Leipzig’s right-back, Benjamin Henrichs forced a brilliant save from Madrid’s goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin as the Bundesliga were on the offensive in the opening minutes of the game.

Los Blancos who were second-best in the game were sparked to life by a Toni Kroos long-range shot which was parried away by Leipzig’s goalkeeper, Peter Gulácsi

Šeško was a constant nuisance to Madrid’s defence but it was Madrid who nearly went on halftime with a goal after Aurélien Tchouaméni saw his header cleared off the line by Loïs Openda.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Diaz took matters into his own hands with a solo run, gliding past challenges before unleashing an absolute belter into the top corner, leaving Gulácsi with no chance.

Leipzig sprung to life soon after and launched waves of attack on Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Dani Olmo and Šeško saw their effort and rebound saved in quick succession by the impressive Lunin in goal. The goalkeeper continued to repel attacks from the German side this time stopping Xavi Simmons and Šeško again. He nearly turned provider after his pull-out found Vinicius Júnior whose effort hit the post.

Marco Rose may have been disappointed with the result as his team did everything to at least gain a point and now faces the daunting task of overturning the deficit at Santiago Bernabeu, a territory where Madrid takes no prisoners. Understandably, the game is already sold out but fans can still buy tickets at trusted reseller seatsnet.com.

Ahead of the game on Wednesday, Madrid extended their below-par record whenever they visit the Mestalla Stadium as they played out a dramatic 2:2 draw with Valencia in Laliga matchday 27.

Vinicius’ double ensured a two-goal comeback from Ancelotti’s side and sent tempers flaring when the referee of the day, Gil Manzano blew full-time just a few seconds before Jude Bellingham headed home what should have been the winner.

The England International was red-carded for his reaction and would miss Madrid’s next matches pending an appeal. Fortunately for Los Blancos, the red card does not count in the Champions League and the 20-year-old will be in contention for a starting berth in the match against Leipzig.

For the visitors, they played out a thrilling 4-1 win away to VFL Bochum in the German Bundesliga. Maximilian Wittek had given the home side the lead in the 7th minute of the game with a well-taken free kick.

Sesko played the ball to Xavi who struck home what he thought to be an equaliser, only for the goal to be disallowed.  Leipzig found their deserved equaliser through Olmo who curled the ball beautifully into the corner to restore parity.

The on-fire Openda continued his strong start to life with Die Roten Bullen, netting his 17th League goal of the season when he found the far corner with a fine strike. An own-goal by Bochum’s centre-back, Ivan Ordets in the 68th minute extended Leipzig’s lead while Yussuf Poulsen connected with a cross from Xavi to turn in the fourth goal and ultimately secure all three points for Rose’s side.

They enter the game against Madrid with the underdog tag and with a poor record of six Champions League knockout matches without a win (five losses and one draw).

However, they pose a significant threat upfront that could cause Madrid’s makeshift defence problems. The likes of Openda, Šeško, Olmo and Xavi have been in impeccable form and will prove handy for the visitors when they visit the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid v RB Leipzig match stats and head to head 

• Madrid have emerged victorious in two of their last three clashes against Leipzig, winning the last fixture that was played in the Bernabeu.

• Los Blancos have qualified in 19 of their last 20 two-legged knockout matches in the UEFA Champions League after winning the first leg. They last failed to qualify in the 2018-19 round of 16 clash when Ajax mounted a comeback to win 4:1 after losing 2:1 in the first leg.

• Leipzig are winless in their last six knockout matches in the Champions League and have failed to score in five of the last six matches.

• Madrid have accumulated 35 points while playing at the Santiago Bernabeu so far, the second-best home record in Laliga this season.

• Leipzig have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 away matches and have conceded multiple goals eight times in that run.

• Ancelotti’s side have emerged victorious in all their seven matches in the Champions League this season. Victory against Leipzig at the Bernabeu will ensure their longest-ever winning streak in a single Champions League campaign since the 2014-15 season when they won seven consecutive games under Ancelotti.

Team News 

For the home side, Bellingham made his return from a slight injury in the game against Valencia and was the subject of a controversial decision by the referee after the final whistle was blown a few seconds before his winning header. The Englishman received his marching orders but can feature in the Champions League as the red card does not count in the competition.

Thibaut Courteous has returned to training but would unlikely feature. Madrid on the other hand would ease his return especially with Lunin performing admirably well in between the posts.

David Alaba and Eder Militao are out of contention as they are both nursing lengthy injuries.

For Leipzig, Schlager was suspended for the recent Bundesliga game against Bochum saw and Rose started Nicolas Seiwald in the position. It is likely that Schlager will reclaim his spot after impressing in the first-leg clash.

Lukas Klostermann and Christoph Baumgartner are facing lengthy spells on the sideline and won’t be in contention for this match.

Predicted starting line-up 

Real Madrid Predicted starting lineup:

Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Vinicius, Rodrygo

RB Leipzig Predicted Starting Lineup:

Blaswich; Henrichs, Simakan, Orban, Raum; Kampl, Schlager, Simons, Olmo; Openda, Šeško

Prediction 

Madrid would once again prove why they are 14-time-winners of the competition when they host Leipzig at the Bernabeu.

While Leipzig possesses an enormous attacking threat, Madrid on the other hand are also very lethal in attack with Vinicius and Rodrygo pulling strings upfront.

Los Blancos are the more experienced side and more in-form side and are tipped for a comfortable victory at their home ground on Wednesday.