Real Madrid v CSKA Moscow - Preview and possible lineups

TEAM NEWS:

Real Madrid: The hosts could ring the changes having already secured qualification for the knockout stages and top spot in Group G, with the likes of Fede Valverde potentially in line for a rare start. Nacho (knee), Toni Kroos (knee) and Mariano Diaz (muscle) are all expected to miss out, whilst Casemiro (ankle) and Sergio Reguilon faces races against time to be fit to feature.

CSKA Moscow: The Russian side will be without injured due Alan Dzagoev (thigh) and Viktor Vasin (cruciate ligament), with Ivan Oblyakov, Rodrigo Becao and Ilzat Akhmetov (shoulder) all doubts. Aleksandr Makarov is back in training after a cruciate ligament problem of his own, but this game coudl come too early for him.

WHO'S SAYING WHAT?

Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari:

"We go in to every match trying to respect our history and the competition. There are teams that are playing for things and we go in to every game looking to win. We must keep the momentum going in every competition and we must remain competitive.

"I'm excited by the chance of winning LaLiga and the Champions League. And also the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup. I like them all and we should aspire to winning everything. We’re alive in every competition and with the opportunity to achieve our objectives. I hope it remains this way until the end of the season".

CSKA Moscow boss Viktor Goncharenko:

"Whenever we talk about Real Madrid, the standards are always high. They can be performing to a high level and are capable of playing at an even higher level. We can't go out there without showing any belief in ourselves. We come here with hope. Anything can happen in a game of football and we'll have to make the most of our chances.

"Regardless of whether the Madrid team that turns up is the one that we faced in our first match, with [Julen] Lopetegui at the helm, or the current side under [Santiago] Solari, Real Madrid remain extremely strong and tough opposition. We'll be doing our all to put in a good performance and make things difficult for Real Madrid. They've already qualified and may play some of their younger players and may field some new faces".

FORM:

Did you know?

Real Madrid have only lost five of their last 38 European matches.

'Los Blancos' have reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of the last eight seasons.

CSKA have emerged victorious on two of their three visits to Spain.

The Russians won five of their eight European away games in 2017/18 (W5, D1, L2).

POSSIBLE LINEUPS:

Real Madrid: Courtois; Odriozola, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Valverde, Llorente, Ceballos; Vazquez, Benzema, Bale.

CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev; Nababkin, Chernov, Magnusson; Fernandes, Bistrovic, Bijol, Efremov, Vlasic; Chalov, Sigurdsson.