Real Madrid v RB Leipzig: Champions League preview, predicted line-ups and team news
Unbeaten Real Madrid host RB Leipzig in the Champions League league stage, with Kylian Mbappé the man to watch and three first-teamers ruled out.
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Real Madrid v RB Leipzig preview
Real Madrid can move to the brink of the Champions League top eight when they host RB Leipzig tonight in the league stage.
The hosts have won both of their games and sit ninth on six points, with a goal difference of plus two. The visitors are 23rd on three points after one win and one defeat.
The top eight go straight into the last 16. Ninth to 24th face a play-off. Real Madrid are one good night from joining the leaders. Leipzig need points to stay clear of the bottom half.
Real Madrid
RB LeipzigHow they got here
Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1 at home on 8 September. They then won 4-3 away at AS Roma on 14 October. They have scored six and conceded four in two games, 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 first clean sheet of the campaign. They have scored just two goals in two games.
The sides have met four times in the Champions League. Real Madrid have won two, Leipzig one and one was drawn. The last meeting was a 1-1 draw in Madrid on 6 March 2024, which followed a 1-0 Real win in Leipzig the month before.
Rotation and selection
Real Madrid's xG against is 1.66 per game and they have conceded in both outings. Defensive injuries limit what the hosts can change at the back, so expect the strongest available side.
Leipzig come off a short turnaround after Monday's win. The visitors face a home side averaging three goals a game and are likely to sit deeper than they did against PSV. Their away record so far is a 4-1 defeat.
Real MadridRB Leipzig
Line-ups
Real Madrid4-2-3-1- 1GT. Courtois
- 8DF. Valverde
- 4DD. Huijsen
- 22DA. Rüdiger
- 18DÁlvaro Fernández
- 6ME. Camavinga
- 20MBernardo Silva
- 15MA. Güler
- 5MJ. Bellingham
- 7MVinícius Júnior
- 10FKylian Mbappé
RB Leipzig4-2-3-1- 26GM. Vandevoordt
- 17DR. Baku
- 4DW. Orbán
- 23DC. Lukeba
- 22DD. Raum
- 21MN. El Aynaoui
- 13MN. Seiwald
- 10MB. Gruda
- 28MC. Nkunku
- 7MA. Nusa
- 40FRômulo
Where to watch Real Madrid v RB Leipzig: TV and online streams
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST. This is a league-stage game, not a two-legged tie. The UK broadcaster is not yet confirmed and this page will be updated closer to kick-off.
There is no extra time in the league stage. If the game is level after 90 minutes, it finishes as a draw and each side takes a point.
Stats for Real Madrid v RB Leipzig
- Real Madrid have scored 6 goals in 2 Champions League games this season, an average of 3.0, and have yet to keep a clean sheet.
- Both of Real Madrid's games this season have featured over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring.
- Leipzig have scored 2 goals in 2 games and conceded 4 away at Como, though they kept a clean sheet at home to PSV.
- The sides have met 4 times in the Champions League: 2 Real Madrid wins, 1 Leipzig win and 1 draw, averaging 2.5 goals per game.
Match Result: Real Madrid to win
Real Madrid average three goals a game and Leipzig have scored just twice in two outings. The hosts are priced at 2/9 for good reason. They will score early and often, but their lack of clean sheets gives Leipzig a chance to nick one.