Real Madrid will be hosting Tottenham Hotspurs at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as the hosts will be trying to defend the trophy for the second time in a row. Real Madrid goes into the fixture after overcoming the resilient challenge that Getafe mounted against the Spanish champions on Saturday. Christiano Ronaldo's eighty-fifth-minute strike was the difference between Getafe and Real Madrid as the goal ensured that the visitors took the three points after the 2-1 victory over the stubborn Getafe.
Tottenham Hotspurs who were the only side challenging Chelsea late last season for the Premier League, find themselves in the European competition once again after performing dismally in the previous season.
The Spurs were eliminated from group stages of UEFA Champions League last after finishing third in their group. Mauricio Pochetino's side travels to Madrid after emerging a slim winner over Bournemouth in the 1-0 victory at the Wembley Stadium.
Talking points
Los Blancos have won all three meetings with the North Londoners in all competitions. The European Champions haven't conceded a goal in any of the encounters with the Spurs. It's a coincidence that the two sides are currently third in their respective league standings after eight games. Each team has scored 15 league goals and has 17 points in individual leagues. Also, Real Madrid is five points behind the Primera Liga league leaders Barcelona while Tottenham Hotspurs is even trailing the Premier League leaders Manchester City with five points.
Another surprising similarity between the two teams is that they have each scored six goals and conceded one goal in the two Champions League group games.
Tottenham Hotspurs has been feeding Real Madrid with top players over the past recent seasons. Welsh star, Gareth Bale spent a few seasons at the White Heart-Lane Stadium before joining Los Blancos.
Also, the Croatia midfielder Luka Modric exited the North London team to join the reigning European club champions.
Both managers spent their playing careers plying their trade in the top Spanish league with Zinedine Zidane playing for Real Madrid while Mauricio Pochetino was representing Espanyol. Interestingly, the two managers are both 45 years old and played for their respective Spanish team during the same period.
After the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, Mauricio Pochetino admitted being 'weaker' to Zinedine Zidane both as a manager and during his playing career. The Spurs coach assertions might be viewed as 'mind game' gimmick to send Real Madrid to a complacency mode, but it's true that 'Zizou' was a winner as a player and now as a manager.
Team news
The two clubs will most likely parade their best in a game will surely make the winner becomes the group leader after the three group matches. The hosts will miss the services of key players like Mateo Kovacic, Keylor Navas, Daniel Carvajal, and Gareth Bale through injuries while Marcelo who was substituted at the weekend is doubtful for the fixture.
Other than the mentioned casualties, Zinedine Zidane has the rest of the squad to choose from.
The Spurs who haven't conceded any goal in their last three matches in all competitions will miss the participation of Victor Wanyama, Erik Lamella, Moussa Dembele and Danny Rose who are all injured. However, Mauricio Pochetino has gotten used to doing without the injured quartet who missed most of this season's fixtures.
Predictions
The hosts are the overwhelming favorites as they have won the trophy that they are defending in the last two seasons. Los Blanco also has stars like Ronaldo, Ramos, and Modric but Spurs can match the eleventh time European champions with players like Delle Alli, Harry Kane, and Hugo Lloris.
It shouldn't be a surprise if you the English side stun its Spanish counterparts in Madrid. The goals will rain with Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring on more than one occasion in the night.
Final Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-3 Tottenham Hotspurs
