Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News, Lineups and Prediction

UEFA Champions League  -  Real Madrid VS RB Leipzig
Match Time:22-10-2026 03:00 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
-----------------------------
Real Madrid welcome RB Leipzig to the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, October 21, for a UEFA Champions League league-phase clash. Los Blancos will be aiming to make it three consecutive victories in Europe, while Leipzig hope to recover from a heavy domestic defeat and strengthen their position in the competition.

Real Madrid have collected six points from their opening two Champions League matches, beating Inter Milan 2-1 before edging Roma 4-3. Leipzig, meanwhile, lost 4-1 to Como in their European opener before responding with a 1-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven. With home advantage and stronger recent momentum, Real Madrid will start as favourites.

Team Analysis
Real Madrid
Real Madrid enter this fixture in encouraging form after winning their last three matches since the Madrid derby defeat. Their most recent performance was particularly impressive, as Jose Mourinho's side secured a 4-1 victory over Sevilla in La Liga.

The Spanish giants have demonstrated considerable attacking quality in Europe this season. Their 2-1 win over Inter Milan was followed by a thrilling 4-3 triumph against Roma, underlining their ability to score goals even in demanding encounters.

Kylian Mbappe remains one of their most important players. The French forward has scored 11 goals in 11 appearances this season, making him a constant threat to opposition defences. Vinicius Junior's return to the Champions League lineup should provide another major attacking boost, with his pace and dribbling likely to trouble Leipzig's full-backs.

Real Madrid have also enjoyed the advantage in their previous meetings with Leipzig, winning two of their four Champions League encounters. Although the German side have shown they can compete with the Spanish giants, the Bernabéu atmosphere and Madrid's current form make the hosts difficult to oppose.

Defensive consistency remains an area to monitor, particularly after conceding seven goals across their opening two European matches. Nevertheless, Real Madrid should have enough quality to control significant periods of the game and create numerous scoring opportunities.

RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig travel to Madrid looking to bounce back after a disappointing 6-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. The result exposed serious defensive weaknesses and will have damaged confidence ahead of one of their toughest European assignments.

Their Champions League campaign has been mixed. Leipzig opened with a 4-1 defeat to Como but recovered to beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0, leaving them with three points after two matches.

Manager Martin Demichelis will need a much more disciplined defensive performance if his team are to take anything from the Bernabéu. Leipzig have attacking players capable of exploiting space on the counterattack, but they cannot afford to give Mbappe and Vinicius too much room in dangerous areas.

Antonio Nusa has been one of their standout performers this season, recording four goals and three assists in nine appearances. Christopher Nkunku also offers creativity and a threat in front of goal, while Romulo provides a focal point in attack.

Leipzig have previously beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League, winning 3-2 in October 2022. That result provides some encouragement, but their recent defensive struggles suggest they will need a significant improvement to repeat the achievement.

Player Situation
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid remain without Rodrygo, who is recovering from a knee injury, Ferland Mendy because of a hip problem, and Raul Asencio due to a leg injury.

Vinicius Junior is available for European competition despite serving a domestic suspension. He is expected to return to the starting lineup, with Endrick potentially dropping to the bench.

Federico Valverde should continue at right-back, while Arda Guler is expected to retain his place in midfield after an impressive performance against Sevilla. Jude Bellingham will provide support between midfield and attack, with Mbappe leading the forward line.

Possible Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Konate, Huijsen, Carreras; Guler, Tchouameni; Diomande, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe.

RB Leipzig Team News
Leipzig will be without Christoph Baumgartner, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Assan Ouedraogo, who is recovering from a shoulder problem.

Nusa is expected to feature in an attacking position after his productive start to the season. Nkunku should also play an important role in creating chances, while Romulo is likely to lead the line.

Leipzig's midfield will need to provide greater protection for the defence than it did against Bayern Munich. Banzuzi and El Aynaoui could be tasked with disrupting Madrid's rhythm and limiting the space available to Bellingham and Guler.

Possible RB Leipzig XI: Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Banzuzi, El Aynaoui; Gruda, Nkunku, Nusa; Romulo.

Result Prediction
Real Madrid have the stronger recent form, greater attacking depth and the advantage of playing at home. Mbappe's goalscoring form and Vinicius Junior's expected return should make the hosts particularly dangerous in the final third.

Leipzig have enough attacking talent to threaten Madrid, especially if Nusa and Nkunku can exploit spaces on the counterattack. However, their heavy defeat to Bayern exposed defensive problems that could be punished by a team of Madrid's quality.

The hosts have also scored seven goals across their opening two Champions League matches, demonstrating their ability to produce results in high-scoring contests. If Madrid maintain their attacking intensity, Leipzig may struggle to contain them for the full 90 minutes.

Real Madrid should therefore have the upper hand, although Leipzig could still find the net if the hosts leave openings at the back.

Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 RB Leipzig