Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg predictions: Austrians have real hope of breaching Carlo's defences
&w=707&quality=100)
- Real Madrid are on nine points after six rounds
- Red Bull Salzburg have conceded 18 goals in their six games
- Recommended bet: Real Madrid and Both Teams to Score
Real Madrid have made hard work of defending their Champions League crown through the group phase but know a handsome home win over a youthful Salzburg will see them into the next stage.
Team news
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has issues in defence with Dani Carvajal injured, understudy right-back Lucas Vazquez suspended and third choice, youngster Lorenzo Aguado, not registered.
Plan B could be Raul Asencio or Fede Valverde as a makeshift full-back.
The Spaniards are also still missing Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga while Aurelien Tchouameni is a doubt.
Salzburg have lost midfielder Maurits Kjaergaard and winger Karim Konate to injuries.
New striker Karim Oniwiso, signed from Mainz last week, is ineligible.
The stats
Fifteen-time champions Real Madrid have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven home Champions League ties.
The last time Los Blancos failed to score at home in the Champions League was December 2018.
Each of Real Madrid's last 12 matches – in all competitions – has produced at least three goals.
Salzburg have won only one of their last eight Austrian Bundesliga and Champions League away games.
They have lost five of their six group-stage games in the Champions League and conceded 18 goals, so far failing to keep a clean sheet.
Prediction
&w=707&quality=100)
Real Madrid need to put down the hammer at home to Red Bull Salzburg to put qualification for the next stage beyond doubt.
Nine points from six games is a poor return but two hefty wins over Salzburg and Brest in their final two games should at least ensure they are seeded for the knockout phase play-offs.
Salzburg have nothing but pride to play for at the Bernabeu and this is a baptism of fire for new head coach Thomas Letsch, who replaced Pep Lijnders last month.
Letsch's first game in charge – a friendly against Bayern Munich – ended in a 6-0 drubbing and they have not played a competitive game for over a month.
They have shipped at least two goals in five of their six matches and it is hard to give the 29/1 minnows any sort of a chance.
However, rather like Las Palmas, who opened the scoring before losing 4-1 to Los Blancos at the weekend, they can at least get on the scoresheet in defeat.
They have nothing to lose at the Bernabeu and Ancelotti is scrambling around to fill his defence which has to offer the Austrians some sort of a chance of at least finding the net.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
