Real Madrid vs CSKA Moscow 13/12/18

13 December 2018

Real Madrid welcome CSKA Moscow to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu looking to post their fourth consecutive Champions League win and maintain a promising spell under Santiago Solari.

The reigning champions have already booked their place in the knockout stage, as they currently top Group G with a record of four wins and one loss. The only defeat Los Blancos suffered this term was against CSKA in Russia, and it was also the only time they’ve struggled to find the back of the net. Therefore, Los Merengues are searching for the payback, as they also have a chance to set the longest winning run this season after securing four consecutive wins across all competitions. Real Madrid outplayed Huesca on the road last weekend, clinching a narrow 1-0 triumph, which was the second time in nine competitive games under Santiago Solari they’ve failed to score more than one goal per match.

Meanwhile, the visitors come into this encounter after a tight 2-1 win over Yenisey in the Russian Premier League during the weekend, as they hope to avoid a defeat and keep their chances of reaching the Europa League knockout stage alive. However, given CSKA’s displays in the Champions Leauge in their last three meetings, it will be a daunting prospect for Viktor Goncharenko to walk away from Santiago Bernabeu with some points. The Horses have lost three straight CL meetings, including the one to Plzen at home last time out. Furthermore, the Red-blues have allowed a minimum of two goals per match four times in their opening five European clashes, which could be a potential worry for Goncharenko ahead of his team’s trip to Madrid.

Provisional line-up – Real Madrid:

Gk: Courtois Defense: Varane – Sergio Ramos – Odriozola – Carvajal Midfield: Llorente – Ceballos – Modric Attack: Bale – Isco – Benzema

Provisional line-up – CSKA Moscow:

Gk: Akinfeev Defense: Nababkin – Chernov – Bijol – Mario Frendandes – Schennikov Midfield: Bistrovic – Sigurdsson – Vlasic Attack: Oblyakov – Chalov