Leipzig have fought back from losing their first two Group F games to remain in contention for their third appearance in the Round of 16.
Avenging their 2-0 loss away to Real Madrid in the reverse fixture of this group stage would put them in the driving seat, potentially even sealing their progression if Celtic were to conquer Shakhtar Donetsk in Glasgow.
Despite failing to prevent their worst 11-game start to a Bundesliga season, Leipzig should be full of belief after completing a dramatic three-goal comeback at Augsburg to draw 3-3 at the weekend and stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games (W5, D2).
Five consecutive home wins since their costly 1-4 UCL loss at home to Shakhtar also leaves them well placed, whilst the sad passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz at the weekend serves as further inspiration to rise to the occasion.
Real Madrid have already booked their place beyond the group stage for a 26th consecutive season and will be keen to do so as group winners, whilst further building upon six straight UCL games without losing (W5, D1).
After defeating Sevilla 3-1 at the weekend to maintain their healthy lead at the top of La Liga, manager Carlo Ancelotti had no hesitation in further resting Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema for this clash.
The fringe players from the 23-man squad that do get a chance will still be expected to uphold Madrid’s excellent travelling record, though, as the Spanish champions have lost only one of their last ten UCL group stage away games (W7, D2), and are unbeaten across their last five European ties away to German opposition (W3, D2).
