Real Madrid will be aiming to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the UEFA Champions League when they travel to Ukraine on Tuesday night to take on Shakhtar Donetsk, report agencies.
Zinedine Zidane's side are currently second in Group B, three points clear of third-placed Shakhtar, meaning that a victory in this game would see them advance to the knockout round of the competition
As mentioned, a win on Tuesday would see Madrid advance to the last-16 stage of the Champions League and then potentially battle Gladbach for first position at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on December 9.
Los Blancos have actually lost in the round of 16 in the last two seasons and will be desperate to advance deep into the competition this term but inconsistency has been a real problem in 2020-21. Madrid will again be without the services of Dani Carvajal, Luka Jovic, Sergio Ramos and Federico Valverde, while Alvaro Odriozola remains a doubt due to a troublesome calf problem.
Los Blancos are also unlikely to be able to call upon Eden Hazard as the Belgium international limped out of the defeat at Alaves on Saturday with a muscular issue. Karim Benzema should be fit to return from a groin problem, though, and it could be a completely new front three from the Alaves defeat with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes also in line to start.
Lucas Vazquez is expected to again get the nod at right-back, while there could be an alteration in the middle of the park with Martin Odegaard potentially replacing Luka Modric.
Meanwhile, Shakhtar will again be without the services of Yevhen Konoplyanka, Davit Khocholava, Dentinho, Viktor Korniienko and Ismaily on Tuesday night due to injuries. Junior Moraes was not involved in the clash with Dnipro-1 on Saturday but should return to the starting XI for this match, while Tete and Manor Solomon are likely to keep their spots in the wide positions.
Andriy Pyatov was also left out of Shakhtar's domestic clash at the weekend, but the 36-year-old is expected to return for this game as the home side look to recover from two heavy losses in the competition.
