Real Madrid v Galatasaray: Champions League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Champions League match in Madrid

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Welsh striker Gareth Bale (GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid face Galatasaray tonight in a battle between Group B’s first and second place. Madrid, who have yet to lose a Champions League game this season, need just one point from their final two group games to secure a spot in the last 16, and a healthy goal difference may make even that unnecessary.

After drawing to Juventus earlier this month, where Gareth Bale scored his first Champions League goal for the Spanish side, Madrid are in a dominant position to qualify for the knock-out stages as well as win the group.

Galatasaray have only won one game in their Champions League campaign, but the lack of wins from Copenhagen and Juventus have allowed the Turkish side to remain in a positive position going into the final two macthes. Confidence may be low however, as Galatasaray suffered a humiliating 6-1 loss to Madrid at home in September, a defeat that if repeated again, would allow the other teams in group B to catch up in the race for the last 16.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS:

Galatasaray 1 (Umut Bulut ) Real Madrid 6 (Isco, Benzema (2), Ronaldo(3)), Champions League, Group Stage, September 2013

Galatasaray 3 (Eboué, Sneijder, Drogba ) Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo(2)), Champions League, Quarter Finals, 2013

Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuaín ) Galatasaray 0, Champions League, Quarter Finals, 2013

STATS:

Real Madrid are unbeaten in 14 Champions League home games. The Spanish side won 12 of those 14 games and drew the other two.

Real Madrid have scored a goal in 29 consecutive Champions League games, thus matching Barcelona's record.

Galatasaray have gone 15 Champions League away games without a clean sheet.

Didier Drogba is the top scoring African in Champions League history (42 goals) and the third highest scorer currently active in the competition (after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo).

ODDS:

Real Madrid to win: 1.28

Galatasaray to win: 11.0

Draw: 5.5

TV: Live on Sky Sports Red Button at 7.45pm, highlights on Sky Sports 2 at 10PM.