Verdict: Real Madrid to win both halves
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Knowing that they face a must-win Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Real Madrid will welcome Salzburg to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have suffered major Super Cup heartbreak last month as they fell to an infamous 5-2 loss against arch-rivals Barcelona, Los Blancos haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. Picking p some perfect momentum last weekend as they claimed a thumping 4-1 victory against Las Palmas, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be more than aware that they must produce a repeat performance here. Getting their Champions League adventure back underway on Wednesday night sat four points adrift of finding a route into the quarter-final spots, Madrid have won seven of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. It should also be noted, Ancelotti’s men have won all of their previous six straight showdowns at the Bernabeu by an aggregate score of 22-5.
Real Madrid Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Real Madrid will once again be without the defensive duo of Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal on Wednesday night. However, while Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior might be serving a domestic suspension, the 24-year-old will return to Ancelotti’s squad here.
Bagging a La Liga brace against Las Palmas over the weekend and now recording four goals in his last three appearances, French superstar Kylian Mbappe will lead the line. Enjoying what has been a breakout campaign this season, 21-year-old Raul Asencio should partner Antonio Rudiger at the back.
Salzburg
As for the visitors, while Salzburg might have entered Austria’s festive break with a much-welcomed 3-0 win against Klagenfurt, the Red Bulls find themselves at the heart of a public struggle this season. Last seen in Champions League action falling to a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of French giants PSG, Thomas Letsch’s side have won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Already watching their knockout stage dreams go up in smoke, Salzburg have collected just three points from any of their six Champions League showdowns this season. Recording just a sole win away from the Red Bull Arena since the end of September, Letsch’s side are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide underdog on Wednesday night.
Salzburg Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Salzburg will once again be without the likes of Karim Konate, Maurits Kjaergaard and Brazilian striker Fernando. However, recently returning from a hip issue, Poland international Kamil Piatkowski could make a first start since December 4th.
Arriving from Premier League giants Liverpool on a permanent basis last summer, Bobby Clark could make a fifth Champions League appearance here. Despite still waiting to open his European , Serbian youngster Petar Ratkov should keep his spot leading the line.
Real Madrid vs Salzburg Key Factors to Consider
- Wednesday’s showdown at the Bernabeu will be the first competitive meeting between Real Madrid and Salzburg.
- Los Blancos have won each of their last six straight home fixtures by an aggregate score of 22-5.
- Salzburg have collected just three points from any of their six Champions League appearances this season.
- All of Madrid’s last seven Champions League home fixtures have finished with both teams finding the net.
- French superstar Kylian Mbappe has recorded four goals in his last three appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
Knowing that they face a must-win showdown on Wednesday night, Real Madrid will be desperate to avoid what would be an infamous Champions League banana skin. Picking up some perfect momentum last weekend as they cruised their way to a 4-1 romp against Las Palmas, Ancelotti’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity on home soil. Winning their last six straight showdowns at the Bernabeu by an aggregate score of 22-5, it is no surprise that Los Blancos are pencilled in as a landslide favourite in midweek.
Verdict: Real Madrid to win both halves
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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