Real Madrid v RB Leipzig: Preview, predicted line-ups & team news

Real Madrid can move closer to a top-eight finish when they host RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The hosts are eighth in the league-phase table on six points after two wins from two. Leipzig are 21st on three points, with a goal difference of minus two.

This is matchday three of eight. The top eight go straight into the last 16, and those placed ninth to 24th go into the play-offs. Madrid are in the first group. Leipzig are in the second, and a win in the Spanish capital would be a big step out of it.

Madrid opened with a 2-1 home win over Inter on 8 September. They followed it with a 4-3 win at AS Roma on 14 October, a result that showed how open they can be. They have scored six and conceded four, and have yet to keep a clean sheet.

Leipzig lost 4-1 away at Como on 10 September. They bounced back with a 1-0 home win over PSV Eindhoven on 13 October, their only clean sheet so far. They have scored twice in two games.

The sides last met on 6 March 2024, a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu in the last 16. Madrid went through after winning the first leg 1-0 in Leipzig.

Madrid's matches so far have been high-scoring and loose. Leipzig have scored one goal a game, but they conceded four away from home at Como. Madrid will fancy their chances of scoring, and there is little sign they will be tempted to rest key men with the table so tight.

Leipzig have a thin forward line with Marc Guiu out. Expect them to sit deep and counter. They have only scored in the second half so far this season.

RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt; Henrichs, Lukeba, Raum; Seiwald, El Aynaoui; Nusa, Nkunku, Bakayoko; Gomis

The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 21 October. It is shown on TNT Sports where selected.

This is a league-phase game, so there are no second legs or aggregate scores. There is no extra time or penalty shoot-out if it is level after 90 minutes. The result stands and each side takes a point.