Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig predictions: Madrid can march into last eight

Spotlight
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid must avoid defeat to qualify for the next round.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid must avoid defeat to qualify for the next round.

Real Madrid hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie against RB Leipzig and Phil Agius expects the Spanish giants to extend their advantage at home.

- Real Madrid are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season
- RB Leipzig have scored in seven of their last eight games
- Recommended bet:
Real Madrid win & over 2.5 goals

Team news

Real Madrid are still without long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Eder Militao. Jude Bellingham is available for this game having missed the first leg.

Leipzig will be missing defender Mohamed Simakan, who is suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the Champions League this season.

Lukas Klostermann is not yet fit after a hip injury but midfielder Xaver Schlager can return after a domestic suspension. Lois Openda is pushing for a starting place after scoring on Saturday.

The stats

Real Madrid have won nine of their last ten home matches, while they were also victorious in all three of their home Champions League group games by an aggregate score of 8-2.

There have been over 2.5 goals in eight of Real's last 13 matches in all competitions.

RB Leipzig's last four away games have featured at least three goals and Marco Rose's men have failed to score in only one of their last eight games.

Prediction

Real Madrid were arguably fortunate to come through their first match against RB Leipzig with a victory and a clean sheet as the German team had plenty of chances to get on the scoresheet at the Red Bull Arena.

However, having survived that test unscathed, Real are in a strong position to progress to the last eight given their phenomenal record at the Bernabeu this season. 

They have won 10 and drawn two of their 12 home league games this season and won all three of their Champions League group matches there too, beating Union Berlin 1-0, Braga 3-0 and Napoli 4-2. 

The Berlin game was the only contest of their six group games not to feature at least three goals and a Madrid win in a game with over 2.5 goals makes plenty of appeal for Wednesday's match.

Leipzig are not often shut out as they were in the first leg and with Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko in attack, supported by Xavi Simons and Dani Olmo they have the potential to contribute to the match total.

However, any Leipzig goal is likely to come in a losing effort as they are much less of a force in away games than when playing in front of their own fans. The Red Bulls have won only five of their 12 away games in the Bundesliga this season and had gone winless in four successive road trips before thumping lowly Bochum 4-1 on Saturday.

Leipzig almost got it right on their group-stage trip to the Etihad to play Manchester City, taking a 2-0 lead in the first half, but they could not hold back the defending champions in the second half and lost 3-2. 

It could be a similar story in this match with the Spanish club winning a relatively high-scoring game to reach the quarter-finals. 

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RB LeipzigReal MadridChampions League