Real Madrid v Ajax - Champions League Preview
Real Madrid face Ajax tonight in the 2nd game of the 2011/12 Champions League group stage.
Date: Tuesday 27 September 2011 Kick off: 7:45pm Location: Santiago Bernabeu Competition: UEFA Champions League Watch Live: Red Button on Sky Sports HD Real Madrid are back to winning ways as they won on the weekend 6-2 against Rayo. Mourinho's men were having a torrid time as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Levante just a fortnight ago. They could be making it two wins out of two if they win tonight against the Dutch champions as they beat Dinamo Zagreb in their first game reasonably comfortably. Madrid are the favourites to qualify in their group which is Group D. They were drawn with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb who they beat in their first match, French giants Lyon who they still are yet to face and Ajax who they play tonight. Realistically Mourinho should be aiming for a victory especially as they are at home and the expectations and pressure will be on even more. On paper Madrid should breeze tonight's fixture but you never know in the Champions League - it's a strange competition in which anything can happen. Ajax have also endured a tricky start to their campaign as they have drawn their last three games. They'll be hoping they can also qualify but Lyon will give them a run for their money, that's for sure. Ajax boss Frank De Boer has some talented players at his desposal in the likes of big target man Mounir El Hamdaoui, Belgian midfield maestro Mats Rits, pacy Dutch right-back Van der Wiel who was linked with Chelsea in the summer and club captain and Belgian international Jan Vertonghen These players helped Ajax win the Eredivisie last term; De Boer's men are no pushovers. Real Madrid Team News Portuguese left-back Fabio Coentrao is out with injury Fellow compatriots Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho are also out through injury New Turkish signing Hamit Altintop has been included in the squad whilst Marcelo is suspended with Arbeloa likely to replace the Brazilian PROBABLE LINEUP
One to watch out for: Who else but Cristiano Ronaldo. His pace and quick feet should cause the Ajax defence major problems. Ajax Team News Miralem Sulejmani is set to return from injury As so is full-back Vurnon Anita Although Nicolai Boilesen is out with a hamstring problem PROBABLE LINEUP
One to watch out for: Right-back Van der Wiel. Isn't afriad to get forward and join in with the attacking play. Will be a handful for Arbeloa. -------------------------
Nathan's prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Ajax