Real Madrid could take a step closer to qualifying for the knock-out stage of the UEFA Champions League, when they face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, November 3.
The Los Blancos will host Shakhtar at the Santiago Bernabeu after a thumping 5-0 win away from home when they met in the first fixture. The convincing victory is a part of the club’s current four games unbeaten run across all competitions, winning three and drawing the other.
Real Madrid were also 2-1 winners over Elche in their last game with a brace from Vinicius Junior doing the damage. Interestingly, the club are just one goal away from scoring their 1000th goal in the Champions League.
Shakhtar’s only loss in their last five games was the home defeat to Madrid. The club have won four of their last five games including the last three in a row.
They have also kept two clean sheets in the last three games while scoring nine goals in that time.
The Ukrainian outfit have just one point from their first three games in the competition, and the game against Madrid on Wednesday is crucial if they stand a chance of at least playing in the Europa League.
However, a win for Madrid could propel them to secure qualification into the round of 32 stage of the tournament.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu.
Date: Wednesday, November 3.
Time: 17:45 GMT.
TEAM NEWS
With no update on Karim Benzema, the France international looks doubtful for midweek’s game together with Rodrygo Goes, who is set to undergo tests on Tuesday. Isco, Mariano Diaz, Dani Ceballos, Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz are expected to miss the game as well.
Shakhtar have three players ruled out for the clash.Roberto De Zerbi will be without the services of Pedrinho, Lassina Traore and Yevhen Konoplyanka.
POSSIBLE STARTING LINEUPS
Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Vazquez, Jovic, Vinicius.
Shakhtar: Pyatov; Dodo, Marlon, Matviyenko, Ismaily; Maycon, Stepanenko; Tete, Patrick, Solomon; Fernando.
PREDICTION
Real Madrid 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
