APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid is an important game for Los Blancos. A win will guarantee their participation in the Champions League knockout phase, regardless of results elsewhere. If Borussia Dortmund fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur, then a draw will be enough to qualify.
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APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid Preview
APOEL Nicosia were always likely to get the wooden spoon in this ‘group of death’. The Cypriot side has actually done Real Madrid a favour by twice drawing with Borussia Dortmund. It shows that they cannot be taken lightly and will not simply roll over, meaning Real Madrid can take nothing for granted. They are at full strength for this match but Lorenzo Ebecilio and Roland Sallai will pick up a suspension for the next match, if either of them go in the referee’s notebook.
It’s a double edged sword for Real Madrid. They need Borussia Dortmund to beat Spurs to have any chance of finishing top but that will mean that they cannot come up short in this match, or risk being knocked out of the competition themselves. Sergio Ramos is doubtful with a broken nose sustained in the Madrid Derby while Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas and Mateo Kovacic remain in the treatment room. Nacho should come in at centre-back and there are no major changes expected.
APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid Predicted Lineups
APOEL Nicosia (4-4-2): Waterman; Lago, Carlao, Rueda, Vouros; Aloneftis, Vinicius, Morais, Zahid; Camargo, Ebecilio
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Casilla; Marcelo, Nacho, Varane, Carvajal; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco: Ronaldo, Benzema
APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid Betting Tips
- APOEL Nicosia have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2 games out of the last 10.
- Real Madrid have won 6, drawn 5 and lost 2 of the last 10 games.
- In the last 10 games, APOEL Nicosia have scored an average of 1.9 goals and have received an average of 1.2 goals.
- In the last 10 games, Real Madrid have scored an average of 1.8 goals per game and have conceded 0.8 goals per game.
- There have been over 2.5 goals in 5 of the last 10 APOEL Nicosia games.
- There have been 2.5 goals in 6 of the last 10 Real Madrid games.
APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid Prediction
On paper, this is an easy fixture but things have not been going well for Real Madrid and they must be professional in their approach. It should be seen as an opportunity to get back to winning ways and Zinedine Zidane will be stressing this to his players. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema could also do with a goal or two to boost their confidence.
Real madrid have prevailed in each of the previous three meetings between these sides. They have also scored at least three goals in each of those victories. A Ronaldo brace and a goal from Ramos secured a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu in September.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Real Madrid win 1/6 at bet365
Over/Under Prediction
Over 2.5 goals 4/11 at bet365.
Result
Real Madrid to win 0-2 6/1 at bet365.
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Disclaimer: Odds correct at time of publishing
