Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Real Madrid's mixed start to 2025 continues with a clash against Red Bull Salzburg in the penultimate round of the Champions League group stage. The Madrid side are expected to dominate from the first whistle—they effortlessly create opportunities both in positional plays and on the counter, thanks to their diverse range of forwards.
Real Madrid
Following their victory over Atalanta (3:2) in the sixth group stage match, Real Madrid have won seven of their next nine games. A commanding win over Las Palmas (4:1) allowed the Madrid side to reclaim the top spot in La Liga, leading Barcelona by seven points. Since 9 November, they have secured five consecutive victories at the Bernabéu, scoring at least two goals in each encounter. Although Real Madrid are unlikely to secure a top-8 finish in the Champions League, the match against the Austrian team still holds significant importance—they want to showcase their strength in European competitions.
Red Bull Salzburg
Painful setbacks against Bayer Leverkusen (0:5) and Paris Saint-Germain (0:3) left Red Bull Salzburg at the bottom of the table. Salzburg have conceded 18 goals in six matches—only three teams have a worse defensive record. These results led the club’s management to dismiss Pepijn Lijnders, and the match in Madrid marks Thomas Letsch's debut as head coach. In January friendlies against Bayern Munich (0:6) and Midtjylland (2:3), the Austrians looked extremely shaky in defence.
Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg Prediction
In front of their home fans, Real Madrid won't keep them waiting long for goals. The Madrid side are set to dismantle Salzburg's defence and achieve a comprehensive victory.
