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Preview: Galatasaray vs. Real Madrid

Preview: Galatasaray vs. Real Madrid
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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


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Written by
Liam Apicella
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Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in their Champions League match against Galatasaray on April 3, 2013
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