Champions League Team News and Prediction: RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

The Champions League returns this week with Liverpool the first of the three English flag bearers in action. The Reds have been in worrying form of late, so the distraction of Champions League football is a welcome one. RB Leipzig are no pushovers, though, and last season's semi-finalists will be confident of securing a first leg advantage. 

This game will take place in Hungary, which could have a negative impact on RB Leipzig, who lose home advantage in this last-16 clash. 

Here, we take a look at all the necessary pre-match information, including what time kick off is, where to watch the game and key injury news. 

When is kick off? 

Tuesday 16th February, 20:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Puskas Arena, Budapest 

Where can I watch it? 

BT Sport 2 

Form Guide 

A 3-2 win over Manchester United in the final round of games saw RB Leipzig pip their English counterparts to second in Group H. However, the German side lost two of their three away matches on their way to the last-16, with their sole victory on the road coming in an entertaining 4-3 win at Istanbul Basaksehir. While the designated home team, this match will take place in Hungary due to travel restrictions currently in place in Germany, so RB Leipzig can't utilise home advantage in the welcome of Liverpool, though Julian Nagelsmann has overseen just one defeat in eight on the road. 

The Reds booked their place in the next round of the Champions League with breathing space as they pipped the likes of Atalanta and Ajax to top spot in Group D. Liverpool picked up seven points from their three away matches to secure first, so a trip to Budapest is unlikely to faze the Merseyside powerhouse. Since a 1-0 win over Ajax in early December, though, Liverpool's form has been lacklustre to say the least, with Jurgen Klopp overseeing just six wins from 17 matches, while five defeats in their last seven has seen them knocked out of the FA Cup and fall 13 points off top spot in the Premier League. 

Team News 

January arrival Dominik Szoboszlai remains sidelined for RB Leipzig with the Hungarian yet to feature for his new side following his move from Salzburg. The youngster would have welcomed the chance to make his debut against the Reds in his homeland. Ibrahima Konate returned from injury over the weekend, which boosts RB Leipzig's defensive options. Konrad Laimer, Benjamin Henrichs and Emil Forsberg will all be assessed for the German outfit. 

For Liverpool, their injury issues are not letting up. Defensive trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip miss out, while Naby Keita sits out a meeting with his former employers. Diogo Jota is also sidelined through injury. James Milner came off early in Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Leicester to join the quintet in the physio room. Fabinho didn't train on Monday and Ben Davies is expected to wait that bit longer for his Liverpool debut. As such, Ozan Kabak will continue at the heart of the defence to make his first Champions League appearance for the Reds and will be looking to quickly bounce back following a poor showing at Leicester on Saturday. 

Probable XIs 

RB Leipzig (352) - Gulacsi; Mukiele, Upamecano, Klostermann; Adams, Sabitzer, Kampl, Olmo, Angelino; Poulsen, Nkunku 

Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Kabak, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Key Battle - Angelino vs Andrew Robertson

RB Leipzig's top scorer in league and continental action this season isn't Christopher Nkunku, Yussuf Poulsen or Alexander Sorloth, but rather the marauding Angelino. The Spanish wing-back has seven league goals to his name, three of which have come in the Champions League; no other RB Leipzig player has scored more than one.

In addition, only Juan Cuadrado (5) has registered more assists than Angelino (3) in the Champions League this season and it's evident that the 24-year-old is the danger man for RB Leipzig. Opposite number Andrew Robertson has saved his best performances for league duties, with the Scot registering five assists in the Premier League this season.

In the Champions League, Robertson has struggled to match expectations, though it's not for want of trying. The left-back ranks third for key passes per 90 (1.8) of all Liverpool players in the Champions League this season and with a little composure from his attacking teammates, Robertson's assist return will surely improve. Both the left-back and Liverpool fans are hoping that starts in Hungary tonight.

Score Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-1 Liverpool