Cross Match – Tuesday 13th Champions League

You only have to go back 18 months to when these sides last met. Leipzig beat Los Blancos 3-2 in last season’s group stage and I expect their to be goals again.

3+ goals landed in every single one of the home side’s games in the groups, scoring 13 in 6 as they finished second behind Man City. Their league form hasn’t been as strong as previous years but they have plenty of attacking threat with the likes of Openda, Olmo and Simons.

I don’t need to go into too much detail when it comes to Real Madrid. You know the script. European knockouts is where this club comes alive and this side have only lost once in 30 games.

Bellingham has unfortunately picked up an injury but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue for this game, given the form of Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo.

Vini has 6 in 6 and his compatriot has a very impressive Champions League record, scoring 3 in the groups.

With 16 goals in the groups for Real, I don’t have much doubt that this game will give us goals

This game is expected to be pretty fast paced, given the players involved.

Leipzig games this season have averaged 4 cards per game in the Champions League – in fact 89% of them have seen 5 or more. The German side picked up 12 in the groups and will need to ensure they are robust enough to stop this Madrid side.

Similarly, 90% of Real’s games in Europe have seen 3 or more cards. Ancelotti’s men were shown 9 yellows in the groups and are 7 of those were in games away from home.

With two sides that both believe they can win this game, I expect there to be plenty action in the final third.

All of Real’s Champions League games have seen 8+ corners land, whilst its happened in 67% of RB Leipzig’s.

In the 6 group stage games, Real Madrid have averaged 12.33 corners per game and Leipzig have recorded 9.33 per 90.

As far as ties for this round go, this is probably quite a kind draw for the reigning Champions. They are in electric form and have all the right players coming into form at the minute.

City’s European form is particularly excellent and they scored 3 goals in every single group game. This Copenhagen team will be no push-overs, however. Their 4-3 win over Manchester United was one of the most dramatic games of the group stage and have scored in all three of their home games, so far.

I expect goals in this one, with Haaland, De Bruyne and Foden to be at the heart of it.

With the home side likely to be under the cosh, there is a strong chance there will be a number of cards shown in this game. Copenhagen picked up 14 cards in 6 group games, as well as 15 in 6 qualifiying games.

Players such as Lucas Lager, who has already picked up 4 yellows, averages 2 fouls a game. Combine that with the attacking threat of Manchester City and there is no doubt there will be a number of fouls on the night.

In addition to this, City average just over a card per game, so 3 cards to be shown looks very likely.

Again, the likelihood of this is due to the massive threat that City offer in the final third. Pep’s side have recorded 5 or more corners in 90% of their fixtures so far and games involving City average around 12 per match.

Even on day’s when they are not at their mecurial best, City gain a lot of corners. In Saturday’s win over Everton, City recorded 9 corners and 5 in the first half.

Copenhagen have averaged 5.40 corners p90 in the Champions League this season. All of which makes for good reading when backing this leg.