Real Madrid vs Schalke 04: Champions League match preview

A look ahead to Tuesday’s Champions League fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu

Cristiano Ronaldo scores the opening goal against Schalke (GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid will be hoping to put their indifferent attacking form behind them when they host Schalke 04 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have failed to score from open play in their last two La Liga games, the most recent being a 1-0 away defeat to Athletic Bilbao, and are chasing an 11th consecutive win in the competition.

Schalke 04 enter the fixture on more favourable terms than in the same round last season, when a 6-1 home thrashing by Real Madrid all but ended their hopes of qualifying.

LIVE: Real Madrid vs Schalke latest

Like their opponents, they have been struggling for form recently, with Saturday’s win over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga ending a four-match winless run.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 19:45

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Schalke 0 Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo, Marcelo), Champions League, February 2015

Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo 2, Marata) Schalke 1 (Hoogland), Champions League, March 2014

Schalke 1 (Huntelaar) Real Madrid 6 (Benzema 2, Ronaldo 2, Bale 2), Champions League, February 2014

STATS…

Real Madrid have scored 18 goals in their 7 Champions League fixtures this season.

Schalke 04 have conceded 11 goals in their last 3 games against Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has failed to score in his last 8 Real Madrid games, the last one coming on the 24th January.

Victory for Real Madrid would be a record-equalling 12th straight home win in the Champions League, a record that stretches back two seasons.

ODDS…

Real Madrid to win: 1.22

Schalke to win: 15

Draw: 7.5

TV: Live ITV/ITV HD at 7:45pm