Champions League preview: Copenhagen vs Man City & RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
Copenhagen vs Man City
Man City are the reigning champions; Copenhagen are just happy to have made it to the round of 16. Fair to say this one’s a bit of a mismatch.
Putting aside the respective level of players and resources the two clubs have at their disposal, because of the way the Danish league pauses for the winter, Copenhagen haven’t even played a competitive game since early December.
The side did win 4-3 against Man United at the Parken stadium in the group stage back in November. Perhaps the hosts will look to that result for inspiration as they host their rather less forgiving neighbours on Tuesday.
But Pep Guardiola’s side are on a ten-match winning run in all competitions, while they also won all six of their Champions League group stage matches earlier in the campaign.
In fairness, City have played Copenhagen before – in 2022, when the match ended goalless. Maybe a similarly committed performance can deny the visitors the win again on Tuesday night, but it seems a long shot.
Perhaps backing Kevin De Bruyne to provide an assist – assuming he starts – is a decent bet. De Bruyne has racked up assists in each of his last four league games; you can back him to extend that run here at 31/20.
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
This looks another big ask for the home side, with RB Leipzig currently way off the pace in the Bundesliga; Marco Rose’s side have one win in their last six league outings.
Leipzig were more convincing in the Champions League group stage in fairness, winning four of their six matches – though they lost home and away to Man City.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have lost one match in all competitions all season. Like City, they won all their group stage games in the Champions League, and beat their closest rivals for the domestic league 4-0 this weekend when they saw off Girona.
Real have also won this competition on a record 14 previous occasions; clearly, they are a daunting opponent. Still, perhaps the hosts will rouse themselves for this one; when these sides met in October 2022 at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig won 3-2. Perhaps the German side can at least give Real a few uncomfortable moments on Tuesday night.
Real will be without Jude Bellingham, who has been excellent for the La Liga side since arriving last summer. Perhaps his absence will be felt here, but with Leipzig currently struggling for positive results, we could definitely see the visitors nabbing the away win regardless. Real are 5/4 for victory.
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