MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 19:57:37| >> :60:1355:1355:

Preview: Galatasaray vs. Real Madrid

Preview: Galatasaray vs. Real Madrid
© AP Photos
Sports Mole previews Real Madrid's Champions League trip to Turkish outfit Galatasaray.

The majority of bookmakers are offering odds of 125/1 that Galatasaray manage to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Real Madrid - such is the size of the task that lies ahead of them.

They trail 3-0 from last week's quarter-final first leg in the Spanish capital thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain.

Despite the fact that the tie looks to be over, coach Jose Mourinho has been tipped to start with a strong team in Istanbul.

However, he will have to make do without the services of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos because of suspension. The absence of the Spanish duo is likely to see both Raphael Varane and Michael Essien handed starting roles.

Meanwhile, the hosting Turks have their own suspension issues in the form of key striker Burak Yilmaz, who has picked up a ban.

Recent form

Galatasaray: LWWWLW

Real Madrid: WWWWDW

Possible starting lineups

Galatasaray: Muslera; Eboue, Kaya, Nounkeu; Sneijder, Altıntop, Melo, Riera, Inan; Drogba, Bulut

Real Madrid: Lopez; Arbeloa, Varane, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Essien; Modric, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Sports Mole says: 1-1


ID:78341: cacheID:78341:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3417:
Written by
Liam Apicella
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in their Champions League match against Galatasaray on April 3, 2013
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Real Madrid 3-0 Galatasaray
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!