Real Madrid opens their Champions League against Union Berlin with aims of claiming their sixth straight win across all contests. Real is one of the teams considered to be a veteran when it comes to the Champions League. This is actually Real‘s 54th appearance in the Champions League, which just proves the power this team holds. Additionally, they are also the team with most wins in the contest, earning 14 titles. On the other hand, Union Berlin is actually making an appearance in the Champions League for the first time in their history. Berlin is a team who is not doing well in the European leagues, which might make their campaign more challenging. This meeting is on September 21, 2023, at 12:45 AM (GMT+8).
Real Madrid
Real Madrid has been a dominant force in the Champions League, having recorded five consecutive wins in La Liga to sit top of the table with 15 points. They beat Athletic Bilbao and Almeria by two-goal margins in their opening two league games, but have only edged their last three matches against Celta Vigo, Getafe, and Real Sociedad. Real Madrid has a trip to Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby this weekend, but their focus is on the Champions League, aiming to make a perfect start to a section with Portuguese outfit Braga and Italian champions Napoli. With 14 European Cup wins, Real Madrid is expected to advance deep into the tournament this term.
Dani Ceballos is returning into this match, after he recovered from his hamstring issue, with Fertland Mendy also returning here. However, they remain to be without Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, and Dani Carvajal.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin, a team that finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season, qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time. They also reached the last-16 stage of the 2022-23 Europa League. However, they have struggled in the Europa Conference League and the biggest cup competition in European football. They will face Bernabeu after two disappointing domestic results. They have lost their last two matches in the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig and Wolfsburg, and have a total of six points in eighth position. Their home form in the section is likely to determine their chances of reaching the knockout round of this season’s tournament.
Rani Khedira, Andras Schafer, and Laurenz Dehl are all unavailable coming into this game as they continue to nurse their injuries. Meanwhile, it will be Kevin Behrens who will be leading the team when it comes to goal scoring.
Prediction:
Real Madrid (1.5)
Odds: -0.87
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