UCL Round of 16: Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig Betting Odds & Preview
Leipzig With Nothing to Lose
Real Unbeaten at Home in 2023-24
RB Leipzig have absolutely nothing to lose on Wednesday when they head to Real Madrid. Leipzig lost the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, 1-0, but looked quite dangerous.
Real, on the other hand, haven’t lost at home since April 2023 and just need a draw to reach the Quarter-Final here. Still, their form has tailed off quite a bit in recent weeks. For one of the most intriguing matches of the week, we’ll preview the Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig betting odds.
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig
Day/Time:
Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig Head-to-Head
Andriy Lunin put on a masterclass in the first leg as the Real Madrid keeper made nine saves vs Leipzig. Brahim Diaz managed to score the game’s only goal as Real stole a 1-0 victory at Red Bull Arena. The pregame Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig betting odds listed Los Blancos as +120 favorites.
Last season, these teams were in the same UCL group and Real defeated Leipzig 2-0 at the Bernabeu. Leipzig won the reverse fixture, 3-2 but none of the Champions League players that scored are still with the club.
Real Looking to Get Back to Their Best
Real Madrid fell behind 2-0 in the first half at Valencia on Saturday. Both goals could have been avoided but Los Blancos made a mess of things.
The second one was not exactly Real Madrid-like as Dani Carvajal made an errant back pass that Roman Yaremchuk pounced on. Real can never be counted out, though, and Vini Jr. got a goal back just before halftime.
The Brazilian equalized with around 15 minutes to play in normal time and Real Madrid thought they had scored a winner. However, the full time whistle blew just before Jude Bellingham’s header.
Real furiously protested and the ref belatedly sent off Bellingham, who will be available for Wednesday’s match but not Real Madrid’s next La Liga game. The record Champions League winners haven’t lost at home since April 2023 and they’re 14-2-0 at the Bernabeu this season, in all competitions.
Real also enter this match with a nine-game unbeaten streak, in all competitions. After a defensive injury crisis, now Real will only be missing Eder Militao and David Alaba from their back line.
Thibaut Courtois is getting close to returning in goal but Lunin should continue to deputize while Courtois recovers. Bettors should note that Real have advanced to at least the Quarter-Final in the Champions League bracket for 11 of the last 13 seasons.
Leipzig Back on Track
With just three wins from their last nine matches overall, RB Leipzig have been a disappointing recent soccer betting pick. However, they did manage to pick up an important win in the Bundesliga over the weekend, which keeps them in the top four hunt.
Leipzig fell behind at Bochum just seven minutes in but Dani Olmo grabbed a 30th minute equalizer. Leipzig managed three goals in the second half, through Lois Openda, an own goal and Yussuf Poulsen.
Openda has now scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga and only trails Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy this UCL season. Xavi Simons has also provided eight assists, which ranks fourth in the league and the Dutch attacking midfielder is a creative spark plug.
Bettors should know that Leipzig have averaged over two goals per game in the Bundesliga. They also scored 13 goals in six matches in the Champions League group stage.
A couple of Leipzig defenders will miss this Champions League match. Mohamed Simakan is out due to a suspension, while Lukas Klostermann is out injured.
The last time Leipzig went on the road in the UCL round of 16, they fell 7-0 to Man City and they’ll be looking to avoid similar embarrassment here. At the very least, they’ll be looking to get on the scoresheet for a fourth straight match.
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig Match Analysis & Odds
Every time Real Madrid show vulnerability, they seem to bounce back and get a brilliant result. Sure, they weren’t at their best at Valencia on Saturday but the Champions League is their bread and butter.
The home fans certainly expect Real to go through on Wednesday and they are -1400 favorites to make it to the Quarter-Final. Los Blancos are also -175 favorites to defeat RB Leipzig and add to the 1-0 aggregate score.
Currently, the Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig betting odds price Leipzig as +700 underdogs to qualify and +420 underdogs to win on Wednesday. If Leipzig manage a one goal victory, the fixture will go into extra time.
Real are 1-1 in extra time matches in 2023-24, while Leipzig are yet to play in an extra time game. Bettors can find Real Madrid -1 at -110 odds, while Leipzig +1 also comes in at -110.
A draw displays +360 odds and would see Real through to the Quarters once again. Although the first leg only produced one goal, this is expected to be a bit of a shootout.
Over three goals currently come in at -125 odds for Wednesday’s match. Both Real Madrid’s Bellingham and Leipzig’s Openda have scored four goals in the UCL this season.
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