Real Madrid can cruise on through to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, with ease, on Wednesday night as they own a three goal aggregate advantage on Liverpool. That said, manager Carlo Ancelotti will likely still field a strong side here, in order to finish off the job.
Don’t expect to see some squad rotation in the first team, but perhaps, once this tie is fully iced, the very accomplished Italian manager will start pulling some of his regulars late in the second half.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool FYIs
Competition: UCL Round of 16, Leg 2/2, Real Madrid leads 5-2
Kickoff: Wed. March 15, 8pm, El Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Team News: Real Madrid Liverpool
Starting XI Predictions: Real Madrid Liverpool
Google Result Probability (90 Min): Real Madrid 42% Liverpool 25% Extra Time 33%
Lately, we’ve seen Liverpool, in the words of the title character on the legendary ’90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: “you’re like a Dr. Jekyll and Patty Duke.”
On Saturday they lost to AFC Bournemouth, the side that most projectionists believe have the greatest statistical chances of being relegated from the Premier League.
The week before they ROUTED their arch-rivals, third place Manchester United, 7-0! Which Liverpool will show up at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs Liverpool FC (UCL Rd of 16)
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Camavinga, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Benzema.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.