The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 goes on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, with a couple of first legs, including the rematch of the last season’s final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. The Reds seek revenge, so let’s take a closer look.
Liverpool – Real Madrid Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds (21.2.2023)
Liverpool have struggled to perform at a high level all season, and the Reds hope to turn the corner in a tough matchup against the 14-time European champions. Real Madrid haven’t impressed in a domestic league either, so Los Blancos have a lot to prove in this clash, too.
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: Initial Situation
The Reds finished the group stage at the second spot in Group A with 15 points (W5, L1) and a 17:6 goal difference. Los Blancos, on the other side, topped Group F with 13 points (W4, D1, L1) and a 15:6 goal difference.
Liverpool Stats & Form
At the moment, the Reds are sitting in the eighth spot in the English Premier League. They’ve only won ten of their 22 league games thus far. Still, the Reds are undefeated in seven straight outings at home in all competitions, recording four wins in that stretch. Last Saturday, Liverpool beat Newcastle 2-0 on the road, and four of the Reds’ last six games overall have seen less than three goals on the scoreboard.
Winger Mohamed Salah leads the way for Liverpool with 18 goals and eight assists in all competitions in 2022-23. Striker Darwin Nunez has recorded 11 goals and four assists, while left-back Andrew Robertson has eight dishes on his season tally. The Reds are without midfielder Arthur Melo (thigh) and winger Luis Diaz (knee). Melo has only played one game this season, whereas Diaz has accounted for four goals and three assists in 12 appearances.
Real Madrid Stats & Form
Los Blancos are riding a four-game winning streak following Saturday’s 2-0 road victory versus Osasuna in the Spanish La Liga. After beating Al-Hilal 5-3 in the FIFA Club World Cup on February 11, Los Blancos have won two straight league games, but they are still five points behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand on Real Madrid.
Winger Vinicius Junior and striker Karim Benzema lead the way for Real Madrid with 16 goals apiece, while midfielder Federico Valverde has scored 12 goals in all competitions. Benzema, who bagged a couple of goals in a 4-0 thrashing of Elche last Wednesday, is questionable to play against Liverpool due to an undisclosed injury, while midfielder Toni Kroos (two goals and four assists) is doubtful with gastroenteritis.
Liverpool – Real Madrid: Head-to-Head
Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the 2022 Champions League Final. The Reds were arguably a much better team, outshooting Los Blancos 23-3, but Thibaut Courtois had a wonderful night between the sticks. Liverpool are winless in six straight meetings with Real Madrid, tallying five losses in the process. Back in 2021, Los Blancos defeated the Reds 3-1 on aggregate in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Liverpool – Real Madrid Odds
The bookmakers set Liverpool as slight home favorites, though this game could easily go three-way. They are expecting to see some goals in the first leg at Anfield, and Both Teams to Score YES pays just 1.55 at Unibet Sportsbook. The Over 2.5 Goals sits at 1.67 on bet365 Sportsbook.
The first leg between Liverpool and Real Madrid will be a joy to watch, but it’s hard to predict the outcome when a couple of heavyweights lock horns this early in the competition. I’m expecting both teams to play cautiously, but with all the firepower among the Reds and Los Blancos, it’s tough to back Under 2.5 Goals. Keep tracking the injury report, though Karim Benzema should be ready to go. If Benzema hits the sidelines, I would take the Under 2.5 Goals at 2.20 odds on bet365 Sportsbook. The Reds haven’t conceded in two straight home games, and Los Blancos might struggle to find the back of the net, especially if Liverpool try to keep the ball at their feet and take things slowly.
Betting tip and prediction: Liverpool – Real Madrid (21.2.2023)