Real Madrid take on Benfica in the Champions League knockout round play-off second leg at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday.
Madrid dug deep to beat the Portuguese side 1-0 in the first leg, giving them the advantage ahead of this clash.
Match preview
Madrid will aim to put their 2-1 defeat at Osasuna in La Liga behind them, as they seek to secure a place in the round of 16.
The Los Blancos’ victory in the first leg was overshadowed by the alleged racial attack on Vinicius Junior.
Madrid were the dominant side and should have been more clinical, having created four big chances.
They have won three home games and lost one in the competition this term.
Benfica defeated AVS Futebol SAD 3-0 in Liga Portugal, providing a timely boost ahead of the trip to Madrid.
Jose Mourinho’s side could not replicate their league-phase victory over Madrid last week.
Their record of one win and three defeats in four away games in the competition does not inspire confidence ahead of this trip.
Team news
Madrid stars Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos and Eder Militao are sidelined with injuries. Dean Huijsen is doubtful, while Rodrygo is suspended.
Joao Veloso is Benfica’s only fitness concern, while Gianluca Prestianni is suspended.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Carreras, Raul Ascensio, Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Arder Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe.
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Anatoliy Trubin, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea, Richard Rios, Georgiy Sudakov, Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis.
Prediction
We fancy Madrid to win 3-1.
Stats from whoscored.com & sofascore.com.
