Real Madrid travel to Germany to face Leipzig

RB Leipzig remains in contention for their third appearance in the Round of 16 of this competition, and avenging their 2-0 loss away to Real Madrid in the reverse fixture of this group stage would put them at an advantage and could they could also seal their progression if Celtic beat Shakhtar Donetsk in Glasgow.

Leipzig had an extraordinary weekend after coming back from behind at Augsburg to draw 3-3 the weekend and stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games despite being 3-0 down in the game.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have booked their place beyond the group stage for a 26th consecutive season, but they will want to do so as group winners whilst further building upon six straight UCL games without losing.

The Los Blancos defeated Sevilla 3-1 at the weekend to maintain their lead at the top of La Liga, and manager Carlo Ancelotti had no hesitation in further resting Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema for this clash while also bringing in fringe players for the trip to Germany.

The Spanish champions have lost only one of their last ten UCL group stage away games, having won seven and drawn two, and are unbeaten across their last five European ties away to German opposition with three wins and two draws.

Meanwhile, Sevilla and Copenhagen both need six points from their final two Group G games, while other results must go their way – to have any chance of advancing to the Round of 16. 

Sevilla’s 2022/23 woes continued despite the fact that Jorge Sampaoli returned as the manager of the side as they suffered the first loss of his new tenure courtesy of a late collapse at the Bernabéu that ensured they lost 3-1.

However, against FC Copenhagen, they stand a chance of a victory as the Danes are yet to score in this season’s UEFA Champions’ League group stage.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu