Real Madrid will seek to extend their unbeaten run in the Champions League and grab at least a point that will seal their qualification for the last 16 round as the group leaders.
Los Blancos have already secured a spot in the next round, but with a six point lead over Galatasaray and Juventus, they still need one more point to finish as table leaders and presumably avoid tougher rivals in the next round.
Carlo Ancelotti will miss Cristiano Ronaldo, who will rest to recover from muscle fatigue. However, the Portuguese will be present at Santiago Bernabeu, since 45,000 fans will wear a CR7 mask in support of Ronaldo as Ballon d’Or winner.
Fabio Coentrao is also sidelined due to injury, while Marcelo could be set to make his return. Luka Modric will also miss the clash through suspension.
Ancelotti has confirmed that Angel di Maria or Jese Rodriguez will play in Ronaldo’s position, while Asier Illarramendi could start again in midfield replacing long-term injured Sami Khedira.
Galatasaray, who have never won at Santiago Bernabeu, should have reasons to be scared, since Real have scored ten goals in their last two games, against Almeria and Real Sociedad. Moreover, in their previous clash, Los Blancos trashed them 1-6 in Turkey.
The Turkish will put their trust in Didier Drogba, who has scored 12 goals against Spanish rivals in his career. Roberto Mancini will have important losses, such as goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Hamit Altintop and Ufuk Ceylan. Wesley Sneijder is also a doubt.
Galatasaray desperately need to obtain a positive result at Santiago Bernabeu after having lost to Copenhagen. They are drawing with the Danish in the second place with four points and they will host Juventus in the last match, with the Italians sitting fourth with three points at the moment.
Possible line-ups:
Real Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Arbeloa; Alonso, Illarramendi; Jese, Isco, Bale; Benzema.
Galatasaray: Iscan; Eboue, Zan, Chedjou, Nounkeu; Inan, Melo; Bruma, Yilmaz, Sneijder; Drogba.
