Prediction: Real Madrid vs Liverpool

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker:

Real Madrid will host Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Champions League encounter, this season in the Round of 16.

It would most certainly have been described as a clash of the giants, indeed it was before the first leg, but considering Los Blancos left Anfield three weeks ago with a three-goal advantage. Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah started the evening in perfect fashion for the Merseysiders, but a brace from Vinicius Junior and Benzema each, and a goal from Eder Militao between the two, completely changed the feeling inside. from the stadium, from joy bordering on ecstasy, to shock and numb disappointment.

Real head coach Carlo Ancelotti, of course, has a painful experience with a three-goal lead against Liverpool – he was in the AC Milan dugout in Istanbul, when his side were leading 3-0 at the break in the Champions League final, only for the Reds to bounce back in the second half and end up winning on penalties. So despite all his team's advantage - not only the three goals, but also the home pitch and the fact that Real are a perfect counter-attacking machine - he remained very cautious after the Anfield victory.

"It's not done," said the Italian tactician.

"Liverpool suffered in the second half, but in the first half we suffered. Overall I'm happy because the game was good."

Meanwhile, Real still seem to be losing the La Liga title race to rivals Barcelona. After being knocked out of Europe, the Catalans are relentlessly focused on crossing the line first, and at the moment the gap between the two titans is nine points. Ancelotti's men will have a chance to cut him just four days after Liverpool's visit when they travel to Camp Nou. They will also face Xavi Hernandez's side on April 5, still at Camp Nou, in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final after losing the first one at home by 0-1.

Real won't worry too much about neighbors Atletico, who are third in the table with eight points less, or fourth-place Real Sociedad, with a deficit of 14, but finishing second surely won't not considered a success.

Real's recent form hasn't been great, for all the good they could do at Liverpool. Aside from that first leg at Anfield and the Copa loss to Barcelona at the Bernabeu, they beat Osasuna 0-2 away, drew with Atletico 1-1 at home, played a goalless draw against Real Betis and beat Espanyol 3-1 at home.

There was a bit of concern for Ancelotti over Karim Benzema's fitness, but after missing the match against Espanyol as a precaution, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner has returned to full training and is expected to lead the line again.

Defenders David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are also back in training, but considering they've both had some fairly serious issues, Ancelotti might choose not to risk too much either.

Thibaut Courtios will be in goal, while Antonio Rudiger is expected to team up with Militao again in the heart of defence. Dani Carvajal will be on the right defensive flank as always, and Nacho Fernandez is the most likely man to step into the breach on the left. Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to anchor the midfield, with Fede Valverde nailed to start, leaving only room for Luka Modric or Toni Kroos. Benzema will surely have Vinicius Junior on his left, and probably Rodrygo on Marco Asensio on the right.

And while Real's recent form was a little inconsistent and could cost them dearly in the title race, Liverpool's has been like a rough sea and they face a big fight to qualify for the title again. Champions League.

In the last six matches, the Merseysiders have beaten Newcastle 0-2 away, lost the first leg to Real at home by 2-5, played a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at home absolutely annihilated arch-rivals Manchester United 7-0 at home – then lost 1-0 away to relegation-struggling Bournemouth on Saturday.

Being out of domestic cup competitions, Liverpool seem to only have the Premier League to focus on between the trip to Madrid and the end of the season, and that seems to be more than enough at the moment. It is very complicated to assess the position of each team currently in contention for the top four, due to the fact that there have been numerous postponements throughout the season for a number of reasons. Liverpool are sixth with 42 points from 26 games but strangely seventh Brighton cannot be ruled out with 39 points from just 24 games played. Fifth-placed Newcastle are two points clear of Liverpool, having played 25, while fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur are 48 from 27 played.

When it comes to this tie, Klopp tried to be realistic af...