Real Madrid vs Liverpool: UCL R16, 2nd leg Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Reds head to Spain on Wednesday needing to overturn a 5-2 first-leg deficit in their Champions League last 16 tie as Real Madrid vs Liverpool renew their second leg rivalry.

Match Details:

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
• Date: Wednesday 15 March
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)
• VAR: Marco Fritz (GER)

Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Match Preview:

Real showed their European pedigree in the first game but are well off the La Liga title race pace set by Barcelona, with nine points separating the sides.

With Real looking for simple progression and Liverpool in need of a miracle, here's what you need to know for Wednesday's clash.

Touchdown in Spain 🛬 pic.twitter.com/R0A9wFyFPK

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 14, 2023

Team News:

Real Madrid:

Carlo Ancelotti is missing both Ferland Mendy and David Alaba at left back. Eduardo Camavinga looked a little uncomfortable playing there against Espanyol, so the more defensively minded Nacho Fernandez may start instead.

⛔ GREAT SAVES 🤝 GREAT GOALS 🎯#RMCity pic.twitter.com/Map0iUsAtd

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 14, 2023

Karim Benzema is expected to come into the starting XI to replace Rodrygo in what may be the only other change from the weekend's team, though he has been struggling with an ankle problem in recent weeks.

Liverpool:

Manager Klopp may ditch Harvey Elliott and promote stalwart Jordan Henderson back into his starting team. Former Barcelona midfielder Thiago remains out.

Boss. pic.twitter.com/oSPVgfTdgo

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 14, 2023

Joining the Spain international on the sidelines are Luis Diaz, Joe Gomez, Calvin Ramsay and most likely Naby Keita, who still needs to be assessed.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool: Head to Head:

• Real Madrid have an impressive record against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League and have won six of the 10 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Liverpool's three victories.
• After a run of three defeats in their first three matches against Liverpool, Real Madrid have won six of their last seven such matches in the UEFA Champions League.

Predicted Line-ups:

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Junior.

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.

RMA vs LIV: Fantasy XI:

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Konate, Van Dijk,