Real Madrid vs Ludogorets, Champions League 2014-15: Match preview, TV info & prediction.

Preview

With Real Madrid already qualified to the knock-out stages this is a fairly meaningless Champions League match and a chance for Carlo to rest some important players. Madrid have won all of their group stage games so far - the only club to do so in the Champions League this season - and will be keen to finish off the job with a record-breaking 19th consecutive win against Ludogorets.

The last time these two teams faced, Ludogorets gave Los Blancos some problems in Bulgaria as they took the lead before Real were able to get back two goals for a narrow victory. This time though they're playing in the Bernabéu and I don't think we should expect Real Madrid to concede. In fact, Real have conceded the 2nd least amount of goals in the competition which is testament to the sturdy and effective defence that has steadily built over the course of the season.

It's also unlikely to be a cakewalk especially if Ancelotti makes wholesale changes to the line-up from the weekend's victory against Celta. Ludogorets have provided stubborn resistance throughout the majority of their inaugural Champions League campaign and would guarantee themselves a Europa League place with a win. Although one would certainly expect a goal or two considering Madrid have scored 67 of them in their 18 match winning sequence.

Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Liverpool on match day four was their tenth straight home success in the Champions League, two fewer than the competition record. Furthermore, Los Blancos are unbeaten in 19 Champions League matches at the Bernabéu, winning 17, dating all the way back to April 2011 when Dani Alves was the orchestrator in a cheap win for Barcelona. If they win tomorrow, Madrid would also become the first team to have won all 6 group stage games on more than one occasion.

Sergio Ramos won't be playing this game as he picked up a booking in the last game and therefore serves a 1 match suspension. Sami Khedira, James Rodríguez and Luka Modric all miss this game due to injury. This is the penultimate match for Los Blancos, with Almeríá the last opponent, before the squad begins to think about winning the FIFA Club World Cup. Another couple of wins would do nicely to keep the teams energy and confidence high.

Match Information

Time converter at worldtimebuddy.com

TV Information: Canal + (Spain), Sky Sports 1 (UK), Fox Sports (USA) & others.

Projected Line-Up: Navas, Arbeloa, Varane, Nacho, Coentrao, Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco, Bale, Ronaldo, Chicharito.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Ludogorets (Ronaldo x2, Bale)