Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Real Madrid could secure a much-needed European victory against Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday as they seek passage to the knockout phase of the Champions League.

The reigning continental champions have won three and lost as many of their opening six league phase encounters, leaving them in an unfamiliar position. Carlo Ancelotti's usually relentless superstars have let their standards slip this term but victory over Salzburg would all but guarantee them a place in the play-off round.

Madrid may have lost their recent Supercopa de Espana final with Barcelona but they have been in generally impressive form since the turn of the year. The capital club have scored 19 across their last five matches in all competitions and could put Salzburg to the sword at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the struggling Austrians having conceded 18 in five defeats and boast just a solitary victory in the Champions League thus far.

Here is 90min's guide to a crucial clash for Madrid.

Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg H2H record

This is the first competitive fixture between Real Madrid and Salzburg.

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg on TV - UK & US

Real Madrid team news

Lucas Vazquez is suspended / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

Madrid already find themselves short at right-back following Dani Carvajal's season-ending injury but they will also be missing deputy Lucas Vazquez on Wednesday evening due to suspension. Federico Valverde is likely to feature in the Spaniard's place having been used in defence this season.

Eder Militao is also out for the season with an ACL tear and Eduardo Camavinga is absent in the centre of the park. Aurelien Tchouameni is a doubt to feature against Salzburg after missing the weekend win over Las Palmas due to a leg issue.

Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric are both available after missing the Las Palmas triumph through suspension, while David Alaba made his long-awaited return from injury during a 14-minute cameo at the weekend.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Ceballos, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.

RB Salzburg team news

Thomas Letsch oversees his first Salzburg game / PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/GettyImages

Talk about a baptism of fire for new Salzburg manager Thomas Letsch, who is overseeing his first competitive match in charge of the club since his return at the Bernabeu. The German briefly took charge of the Red Bull side in 2015 as interim boss but has made a permanent comeback following the dismissal of former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders as head coach.

Letsch will be without the influential Karim Konate for Salzburg's first match of the new year, while Maurits Kjaergaard is also sidelined through injury.

Bobby Clark, formerly of Liverpool, is a doubt for the fixture alongside teammates Amar Dedic, Alexander Schlager and Daouda Guindo.

RB Salzburg predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Blaswich; Morgalla, Baidoo, Piatkowski, Terzic; Yeo, Capaldo, Bidstrup, Nene; Gloukh, Ratkov.

Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg score prediction

Salzburg have been dire in the Champions League this season and could be a tad rusty on Wednesday given that they haven't played a competitive match since mid-December. Letsch has had time to work with his new squad but will not be expecting any miracles in Madrid.

For all Los Blancos' defensive flaws, they have been in confident mood in the final third and could run up the score midweek. Kylian Mbappe has been in excellent goalscoring form and Vinicius' return to the starting XI will only increase their chances of hammering Letsch's new side.