Liverpool slight favourites in the Champions League Round of 16 draw against Real Madrid: Here’s all you need to know | OneFootball

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·21 November 2022

Liverpool slight favourites in the Champions League Round of 16 draw against Real Madrid: Here’s all you need to know

Article image:Liverpool slight favourites in the Champions League Round of 16 draw against Real Madrid: Here’s all you need to know

On November 7, the draw for the Champions League Round of 16 was made, and many intriguing matches were revealed to quench the hunger of the supporters. The renowned Champions League anthem won’t be heard by the players and spectators for a few more months, but the 16 clubs currently competing in Europe’s elite competition now have their next obstacle to overcome in order to move on to the next stage of the tournament.

The match that draws the most attention is a rematch of last year’s championship game, with Liverpool looking to wreak revenge on Real Madrid despite their inconsistent form this season.


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Liverpool vs. Real Madrid History

It is the matchup that neither team would have chosen, Liverpool versus Real Madrid. Madrid, who are defending Champions, will be a massive test for the Reds, however, they would have preferred to avoid playing Jurgen Klopp’s club at this stage. Liverpool’s inability to finish first in Group A made them exposed to facing a very strong team in the Round of 16.

Since October 2014, Liverpool has lost five of their past six meetings with Real, but they are capable of snapping that dismal streak. Real is currently in second place in the league and is unbeaten in La Liga this year. They are therefore in excellent shape.

Indeed, the fixture presents itself as an intriguing proposition and one that will attract football fans and even sports betting enthusiasts because of what it features. Given the quality available in the match, there will be many predictions about what could potentially happen across the two legs.

Liverpool will be looking to seize the initiative and continue their form in the elite club competition. Of course, this is something that will have been taken into account for the upcoming tie, with popular soccer betting platforms providing punters with the ability to get odds for the game already.

With odds of -125, the Reds are considered to be slight favourites to advance to the next stage of the UCL, with the Spaniards being provided odds of -105. However, with these odds in mind, it perhaps goes to show just how close the contest will likely be, and with history perhaps not on their side, as the English side have not fared well in recent meetings, there could be value for punters who are interested.

Liverpool have a poor record against Real Madrid

The Champions League Final of 2022 would be the fourth time in 4 years that Liverpool would go toe to toe with Real Madrid, after facing them in the 2018 Champions League Final, and in the knockout stages of the 2021 edition. Going into the final, the clubs were matched, but Liverpool were seen as the team with the highest chance of lifting the trophy for the 7th time in the club’s history. Unfortunately, the Reds were defeated by a lone Vinicius Junior goal.

The fixture between Liverpool and Real Madrid has always been a difficult one for the Reds, as Liverpool has only won three times against the Spanish giants, having faced Madrid nine times. The UCL has always been the stage where the two world-class clubs have met, being the elite competition in Europe.

The last win against Real Madrid came in 2009, in the knockout stages of this tournament. The first time the two sides faced was in 1981 in the European Cup, in which Liverpool were victorious. The next time they faced was 28 years after in the Champions League, and Liverpool were victorious on two occasions. Since 2014, though, the two sides have faced 6 times, and Liverpool have not won one match in that period.

Could things change for Liverpool by the time Real Madrid come to Anfield?

Although Liverpool’s season has not been easy thus far, by the time the Champions League knockout stage rolls around, things may have changed significantly. After the January transfer window closes, the competition will resume in February. Before it resumes, Jürgen Klopp may have acquired one or two players who will help the team. Players like Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are expected to be fully fit once more, too. The Reds are currently not in fantastic shape, but they are hoping that will change in three months.

Hopefully, Reds fans will be cheering and hopes of being able to go to Turkey for the final continue to remain!

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