Sturm Graz vs RB Leipzig prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-28 20:00.
[p]While there’s plenty on the line elsewhere on matchday eight of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), that’s not the case for Sturm Graz and RB Leipzig, both of whom have already been eliminated after identically miserable seven-game starts to the league phase (W1, L6). Sturm suffered their joint-heaviest defeat in competition history against Atalanta last time out (5-0), and with that following a 3-2 loss against Lille the matchday prior, it’s clear defence is a big issue.[/p]
[p]That’s being exacerbated by a misfiring forward line that’s accumulated a UCL low 5.1 xG going into this fixture. Those aren’t good omens as Sturm look to improve on a miserable European record against German opposition (W1, D1, L7), though a result either way certainly looks likely given that the hosts have contested a tournament-high 15 home games without ever drawing (W7, L8).[/p]
[p]Leipzig’s first exit at this phase of the UCL since 2021/22 came about in remarkable fashion with the Red Bulls losing their first six matches of the league phase. Marco Rose’s men broke their duck on matchday seven by beating Sporting CP (2-1), and followed that up with a rousing Bundesliga comeback from two goals down to rescue a draw with Bayer Leverkusen.[/p]
[p]They’ll be looking to leverage that momentum into a first-ever H2H win against Austrian opponents (L2). A return of just one win from their last eight away matches across all competitions hardly inspires confidence on that front (D1, L6), while three defeats from as many such outings in the UCL is the most suffered by a German side in a single European season since Hamburg in 2009/10 (five).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: William Bøving could be a creative outlet for goal-shy Sturm, with his two UCL assists this season both arriving in the five minutes either side of half-time. Leipzig wing-back David Raum has shown considerable threat going forward of late, directly contributing to four goals in his last three matches (G1, A3).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Leipzig have won their final UCL group game in each of the last four seasons.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]