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Real Madrid vs Club Brugge UCL Matchday 2 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated May 14, 2020 · 4:35 PM PDT

Karim Benzema (left) and Sergio Ramos are on a mission for Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be expected to take care of business at home to Turkish side Galatasary on UCL Matchday 4. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
  • Spanish giants need to hit back after humbling in Paris
  • Belgians are clean sheet specialists in Europe
  • Zidane guides team back to top of La Liga after slow start

Real Madrid have to make a quick recovery in the Champions League when they face Club Brugge on Tuesday.

After a stunning 3-0 defeat away at Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Group A tie, the Spanish giants are already under pressure ahead of the meeting with the Belgians on October 1, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, at 12:55 pm EST.

Brugge are in grittily determined European form and could be value for a draw. Their 0-0 stalemate at home against Galatasary in this season’s opening fixture was their fifth successive UCL group game without defeat.

But the analysts still heavily favor Madrid with oddsmakers pricing a home victory at -435. Brugge are rated at +940 with the draw good value at +540.

Real Madrid vs Club Brugge UCL Matchday 2 Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Real Madrid -2 +105 -435 Ov 3½ -116
Club Brugge +2 -121 +900 Un 3½ +100
Draw N/A +540 N/A

*Odds taken at 2019/09/27

Real coach Zinedine Zidane has faced heavy criticism after the defeat in Paris.

However, their domestic form has improved following a stuttering start. They were on top of La Liga following the 2-0 home win against Osasuna on Wednesday, September 25.

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Three Straight League Wins

This was the latest in a run of three straight league wins. With five goals in La Liga, French striker Karim Benzema could now turn up his fire-power in Europe.

Brugge were second in Belgium’s League A table after seven fixtures – with five wins and two draws. The most recent league victory was a 2-1 defeat of major rivals Anderlecht on September 22.

After four UCL triumphs in five seasons between 2013-14 and 2017-18, Real’s fortunes in the competition have taken a nose-dive.

Last season was the first since 2009/10 in which Real failed at least to reach the semifinals.

They have lost three of their last four matches – two at home – in the competition. They have conceded three or more goals in each of those defeats.

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Before their stunning 4-1 defeat at home by Ajax in the last 16’s second leg last season, they had been beaten 3-0 in Spain by CSKA Moscow in the final group game.

Heaviest Home Defeats

This was their heaviest-ever home defeat in Europe – one soon equaled by the victory of Ajax, even though Real had won the last 16 first leg 2-1 in Amsterdam.

However, Real had won their group section ahead of Roma, Viktoria Plzen and CSKA.

Real Madrid vs Club Brugge UCL 2019-20 Statistics

Real Madrid
VS
Club Brugge
0 Wins 0
1 Losses 0
0 Draws 1
0 Goals 0
10 Goal Attempts 12
86% Passing accuracy 74%
48% Possession 46%

They have met Brugge only once before in European competition. After a 0-0 draw in the second round of the former European Cup in 1976/77, the Belgians won the return leg 2-0 at home.

Brugge have conceded only three times in their seven domestic league fixtures this season.

Real will face a Belgian outfit with a powerful recent defensive record.

Brugge have conceded only three times in their seven domestic league fixtures this season.

In last season’s group stage, they finished third behind Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid but ahead of Monaco.

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They lost their opening two games but then embarked on the four-game undefeated run which has stretched into five this season.

Defensive Strength

There were clean sheets in the last three of last season’s group games – also a run which has extended into this season’s group stage.

The Belgians defeated Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round this season before a playoff victory against Austrian side LASK.

They are in the group stage for the third time in four years but have never progressed to the UCL knockout rounds – although they were European Cup finalists in 1978 against Liverpool.

Pick: Draw +540

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