Real Madrid visits Liverpool in midweek for a clash of two giant clubs that are waging war against the injury bug. The winner, in this first of the two legs in the round of 16 tie, could be the side that has more depth, and does a better job fighting against attrition.
Will it be Carlo Ancelotti or Jurgen Klopp- which manager will plug the holes more appropriately and adequately? Will Karim Benzema pass a late fitness test?
Real Madrid at Liverpool FYIs
Competition: UCL Round of 16, Leg 1/2
Kickoff: Tue. Feb 21, 8pm, Anfield
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 33% Liverpool 40% Extra Time 27%
The best potential first team for Carlo Ancelotti to select, for the cause in the spirit of continuing his club’s European dominance? We are thinking that right now that it looks like this below:
Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction at Liverpool (Uefa Champions League Rounfd of 16)
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Prediction: Liverpool 2, Real Madrid 1
Totally feeling the upset here, at least for the Merseyside leg. That said, when the reverse fixture takes place, we’re predicting Madrid wins and then moves on.
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.