Record Champions League winners Real Madrid will host RB Leipzig in round three looking to make it three straight wins in the competition.
Jose Mourinho’s side have collected maximum points from back-to-back wins against Italian heavyweights Inter Milan and AS Roma.
They come into the game in eighth place with six points as they seek to win an unprecedented 16th Champions League title.
Leipzig lost their opening match 4-1 to Como, before bouncing back with a 1-0 win against Dutch giants PSV.
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The German outfit are desperate for a confidence boost after a humiliating 6-1 loss to Bayern over the weekend.
Los Blancos on the other hand were impressive in a 4-1 La Liga win against Sevilla in preparation for this crucial encounter.
Kylian Mbappé remains Madrid’s most dangerous attacking player, reaching 72 goals in the competition during his 100th appearance against Roma.
We have a look at both teams ahead of kick off and offer our predicted outcome.
What time does Madrid vs Leipzig start?
The match kicks off at 10PM E.A.T at the Santiago Bernabeau
Madrid vs Leipzig team news
Vinicius Junior’s return to the starting XI is the biggest news from the hosts, after the Brazilian was rested against Sevilla.
This means Yan Diomande will drop back to the bench after making back-to-back starts for the first time in his Madrid career.
Eder Miliatao is not back to full fitness and may have to feature on the bench, with Alvaro Carreras expected to start in the back four.
Jude Bellingham has been consistent with game-winning performances and will be the key to the link up play from midfield, with Mbappe up front.
Marc Guiu and Assan Ouédraogo are absent for the visitors in the only main injury concerns.
Christopher Nkunku’s experience will be key for the Leipzig attack if they are to manage anything from this match.
Antonio Nusa and Brajan Gruda will also retain their starting roles in the wide areas.
Madrid vs Leipzig head-to-head and current form
Real Madrid and RB Leipzig have met four times in the Champions League before this fixture. Madrid have won twice, Leipzig once, and the sides have drawn once.
The last match between these two sides resulted in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeau in 2024.
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Current form:
Madrid – WWWLW
Leipzig – LWWLW
Madrid vs Leipzig previous games
- Madrid 1-1 Leipzig (March 6, 2024)
- Leipzig 0-1 Madrid (February 13, 2024)
- Leipzig 3-2 Madrid (October 25, 2022)
- Madrid 2-0 Leipzig (September 14, 2022)
Madrid vs Leipzig prediction
Madrid have won both of their opening Champions League fixtures and followed those performances with a 4-1 domestic victory. Leipzig’s 6-1 defeat to Bayern raises concerns about their defensive ability to withstand Madrid’s attacking pressure.
Prediction – Real Madrid to win – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE!
