Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

For all intents and purposes, Real Madrid have clinched a spot to the knockout phase of the Champions League. The team hold a six-point lead over Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen with two games to go and have already beaten both teams. 

Needing just a point to advance, it would hardly be surprising if Real Madrid earned it in front of their home supporters on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Galatasaray find themselves in a three-way dogfight to reach the knockout phase, as Italian giants Juventus are just a point behind them after three draws. With matches against Real Madrid and Juventus remaining it's a long shot they'll move on in the tournament, but they certainly control their own destiny.

When: Wednesday, November 27 at 2:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. GMT)

Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

Watch: Fox Sports 2; Fox Soccer 2Go; 

Key Storylines

One piece of good news for the visitors right out of the gate is that Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo won't be in action on Wednesday. From Dermot Corrigan of ESPN:

"

Ronaldo limped out of Saturday’s 5-0 La Liga win at Almeria and tests revealed a thigh problem which will keep him out of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Reports in Spain suggest Madrid may now take advantage of a low key upcoming schedule so that the 2013 Ballon d’Or favourite, who has missed some training sessions recently due to knocks accumulated through a busy month with club and country, does not return to action until Madrid’s Primera Division trip to Osasuna on Dec. 14.

"

Of course, with Gareth Bale and Angel di Maria still available on the wings, Real Madrid are uniquely capable of replacing Ronaldo out wide. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has said either di Maria or Jese Rodriguez will replace Ronaldo on the left, so Real Madrid are covered.

It's also unlikely Xabi Alonso will appear in this contest, according to the manager. From Corrigan:

"

Even with Sami Khedira injured long term, and Luka Modric suspended for the game, Ancelotti suggested it was unlikely that senior midfielder Xabi Alonso would play the full 90 minutes against the Turkish champions.

'I really liked the work of Xabi and [Asier] Illarramendi together [against Almeria]—they gave balance to the team, moved the ball quickly,' he said. '[But] we must be careful with Alonso as he is coming from a serious injury, and would be playing two games in three days. It could be that tomorrow he rests and Casemiro plays.'

"

If ever there was a moment for Bale to step up and show why Real Madrid made him a Galactico this summer, this is it.

Give Galatasaray manager Roberto Mancini—last seen looking miserable on the sideline for Manchester City last season—credit for one thing: He's confident his team will advance to the knockout phase, even with brutal draws on tap.

From ESPN:

"

Galatasaray are a very good team who have the potential to do well this season. It's never easy in the Champions League and our group is particularly tough. However, we can progress. I'm still confident of qualifying. We need to improve as a team but I am hopeful of a good result in our next game against Real Madrid. Then we will have everything to play for. As they say in football, never say never.

"

Galatasaray have started slowly, currently seventh in the Super Lig table, a bit surprising considering the presence of talented players like Didier Drogba, Burak Yilmaz and Wesley Sneijder.

Remember, this team was very close to mounting an improbable comeback against Real Madrid last season in the Champions League quarter-finals, nearly overcoming a four-goal deficit on aggregate with three goals before Ronaldo scored his second goal of the night in injury time, ending the threat. 

Still, it's hard to ignore Real Madrid's 6-1 victory at Galatasaray's home digs earlier in the group round. There's no doubt there is a significant gulf in talent between these two teams, and the Turkish side would do well to simply earn a point. 

 

 

Predictions

 

In a way, this fixture is lining up to finish as a draw. Real Madrid won't be at full strength and have little to play for, while everything is on the line for Galatasaray. 

On the other hand, the visitors can't match the talent of players like Bale, di Maria, Isco or Karim Benzema, and a trip to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is never easy. 

Galatasaray will come out buzzing, but Los Blancos will calmly handle the challenge. Real Madrid win, 2-1.