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Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a repeat of last season’s Champions League final, Real Madrid will welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, suffering a stunning 1-0 loss away at French outfit Lille earlier in the month, there is no doubt that Real Madrid are seeking an immediate European response here. Nevertheless, despite that shock Champions League defeat on foreign soil, Los Blancos have come roaring back. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 victory away at Celta Vigo over the weekend, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are pencilled in as a standout contender to defend their European crown this season. Getting their hands on a history-making 15th piece of European silverware back on June 1st as they secured a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, the former AC Milan boss will be demanding a repeat display here. Although the Spanish icons might have suffered just a single defeat since opening up the new campaign, they are seeking some recent defensive resolve. In fact, Tuesday’s hosts have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last seven showdowns across all competitions.
Team News
Undergoing knee surgery over the fortnight interval and not expected to feature over the remainder of the season, Real Madrid will be without Spanish international Dani Carvajal on Tuesday night. Likewise, while David Alaba might have played down speculation over an early retirement, the ex-Bayern Munich star still remains on the sidelines.
Finding the net away at Celta Vigo over the weekend and already registering six La Liga strikes, Kylian Mbappe will spearhead Los Blancos’ charge. Although Vinicius Junior might have withdrawn from Brazil’s squad earlier in the month due to fitness concerns, the 24-year-old will partner Mbappe in the final third.
Borussia Dortmund
As for the visitors, getting a new era underway over the summer following Nuri Sahin’s appointment, Borussia Dortmund are still fully trying to find their feet under the one-time Real Madrid midfielder. Heading into October’s international break with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Union Berlin, last season’s Champions League finalists are seeking some crucial stability. Nevertheless, while BVB might have a real uphill battle on their hands in the race to mount a genuine Bundesliga title charge, Tuesday’s guests are enjoying what has become quite the European flurry. Storming their way to a sensational 7-1 romp when they welcomed Scottish heavyweights Celtic to rural Germany on October 1st, Dortmund have won each of their opening two Champions League battles by an aggregate score of 10-1. Getting proceedings underway with a routine 3-0 victory away at Club Brugge last month, Sahin’s side will be desperate to claim some European revenge following their heartbreak at Wembley on June 1st.
Team News
In what is a huge blow for Borussia Dortmund, the German giants have already confirmed that attacking star Karim Adeyemi faces at least another month on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury. Despite arriving from Premier League outfit Brighton over the summer, Pascal Gross is seen as a real doubt on Tuesday night and is not expected to travel to Madrid.
Bagging a dramatic late winner against St. Pauli over the weekend and already notching three goals in his first two Champions League appearances, former Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy will shoulder Dortmund’s goalscoring threat here. Ex-Liverpool star Emre Can will start in the middle of the park and be joined by Marcel Sabitzer.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund met for last season’s Champions League final on June 1st, Los Blancos collected a 2-0 victory at Wembley.
- Real Madrid have won each of their previous three Champions League showdowns against BVB by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- Los Blancos have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- Borussia Dortmund have conceded seven goals in their back-to-back showdowns outside of rural Germany.
- Completing a blockbuster move from PSG over the summer, Kylian Mbappe has registered six goals in his first nine La Liga appearances.
Conclusion
Getting their hands on that history-making 15th European trophy back on June 1st as they secured that 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund, Los Blancos were be demanding a repeat performance here. Despite seeking some crucial defensive resolve, Real Madrid will certainly be looking to cash in on a BVB squad that have shown some extended issues outside of rural Germany. With Ancelotti’s side looking to claim an immediate Champions League response, we are backing what could prove to be an enjoyable home victory in midweek.
Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Luckster