Prediction: RB Leipzig vs Tottenham

Verdict: RB Leipzig win and under five goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to finish off the job in midweek and secure a maiden spot in the quarter-final of this year’s Champions League, RB Leipzig will welcome a struggling Spurs the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday night.

RB Leipzig

Starting with the hosts, while Leipzig may have been disappointed to have only collected back-to-back draws against Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen, the German outfit have continued on what has been quite the campaign at the Red Bull Arena. Picking up what was a deserved 1-0 win away in North London a fortnight ago, Julian Nagelsmann’s men are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions and are still seen as one of the dark horses in this year’s Champions League. Still also battling it out in the Bundesliga title picture, Die Roten Bullen have quickly started to gain plenty of plaudits for their continued performances at the back. While the likes of German international Timo Werner might be continuing to lead their line, Tuesday’s hosts have now recorded five clean sheets on their six-match unbeaten run and even more impressive for Nagelsmann, his side have now shipped just a single goal in over 550 minutes of action, their best defensive return of the season so far. Losing just one of their seven Champions League appearances in this year’s tournament, Leipzig will be brimming with confidence in midweek.

Team News

Leipzig will once again be without the duo of Ibrahima Konate and Kevin Kampl on Tuesday night and it also appears that they could be unable to call upon Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu who is struggling with a back problem.

Elsewhere, centre-back Dayot Upamecano is likely to be recalled to Nagelsmann’s starting XI after missing the first-leg due to suspension.

Tottenham

As for the visitors, while Tottenham may have managed to pick up what was the most flattering of points away at Turf Moor over the weekend, their performance on Saturday evening only highlights Spurs’ continued crisis. Still dealing with a long list of injury issues and watching their top-four ambitions take another dent, Jose Mourinho’s men have now failed to win any of their last five matches across all competitions, losing four of those appearances. With the mood around North London starting to grow increasingly fragile and also crashing out of the FA Cup thanks to a penalties defeat against rock-bottom Norwich City, the former Manchester United boss is desperate for his side to find some much-needed resolve at the back. Needing another shock European turnaround if last year’s finalists are to progress, Tuesday’s guests have failed to record a single clean sheet in any of their last seven appearances, a run that has seen them ship at least a pair of goals against the likes of Aston Villa, Southampton, Chelsea, and Wolves.

Team News

Ben Davies is among the absentees for Tuesday night’s Champions League round of 16, second leg at RB Leipzig.

Steven Bergwijn has also joined our injury list after suffering a significant sprain to his left ankle during the Premier League fixture at Turf Moor.

Defender Juan Foyth (thigh) has remained in London, with Moussa Sissoko (knee), Heung-Min Son (arm) and Harry Kane (hamstring) all still sidelined.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 1-0 defeat against Leipzig in the first-leg a fortnight ago, Spurs have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.
• All three of Spurs’ Champions League defeats this season have been against German teams (two against Bayern Munich, one against RB Leipzig).
• Leipzig have recorded five clean sheets in their last six appearances and have conceded just a single goal in over 550 minutes of action.
• The German outfit have lost just one of their seven Champions League matches in this year’s tournament.
• Spurs have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their last seven appearances.

Conclusion

On paper, there is no doubt that Leipzig should see Tuesday as a golden opportunity to make another statement at the Red Bull Arena. Picking up a 1-0 win in North London a fortnight ago and in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run, Julian Nagelsmann’s men will be confident of booking their spot in the quarter-final of this year’s Champions League. With Spurs losing four of their last five and continuing to endure their most testing period under Jose Mourinho, we’re backing another tricky night in Germany for the Premier League outfit.

Verdict: RB Leipzig win and under five goals

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Bet365