Real Madrid Vs Tottenham Hotspurs - Soccer Prediction & Preview

[Shady]

Real Madrid Vs Tottenham Hotspurs - Soccer Prediction & Preview,
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Overview:
Jose Mourinho lost his proud home record at home at the weekend when Real Madrid lost to Gijon. Mourinho has not lost a single home game in the league for the past nine years and this record is finally broken by a rather more surprising Sporting Gijon.

Mourinho will be eager to break another record by being the first manager to win this elite competition with three different clubs. However this is not as easy as it seems as Real are missing in-from striker Karim Benzema.

The major news ahead of this game would be Cristiano Ronaldo has been declared fit to play and he should start against Spurs. Ronaldo will have to be Mourinho’s primary attacking weapon as Benzema is out injured and Higuain is still lacking match fitness. Despite carrying minor knocks and not fully fit, Kaka, Marcelo and Di Maria are all included in the squad but Benzema, Gago and Pedeo Leon are all out.

As for Harry Redknapp, the only positive news is Bale has been included in the squad. Spurs will be without Alan Hutton, Jonathan Woodgate, Younes Kaboul, Ledley King and Steven Pienaar. Apart from that William Gallas and Niko Kranjcar will both have undergo a last minute fitness test.

The key battle in this game would definitely be in few areas. Sandro who impress me lately, including against Ac Milan in San Siro will have a big task by handling Ozil. The German is quick and his killer passes might just be the one that unleashes the likes of Ronaldo, Higuain or Di Maria.

Apart from the midfield battle, it will be interesting to see who will play in this right back position as Ronaldo is likely to start on the left flank. Corluka is the obvious choice but I have doubts in the Croatian containing Ronaldo. On the other hand, Assou Ekotto who is likely to feature on left flank might also face Ronaldo as Ronaldo loves to switch flanks.

Verdict:
By the look of it, Mourinho will play a cautious approach as he hinted a draw would not be a bad result. Mourinho will look for a goal draw here in the Santiago Bernabau and anything but defeat in London in the second leg would see Madrid through to the Semi Finals.

Mourinho is a master of tactician. He knows that if Spurs were to score a goal or two, it would make things harder for his side. He is most likely try and control the game and hit Spurs on the counter as Spurs lack pace in defense.

In my opinion, both wing backs of Spurs should find it difficult to handle Ronaldo. This is most probably where the game is won or lost. Should Madrid play balls in behind the defense line for Ronaldo or use Ronaldo as their primary attacking weapon, Spurs is in for a tough day. Gomez will have to pull up not one but numerous saves to keep Spurs in this tie.

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