Real Madrid Vs. CSKA Moscow: Where to Watch Live Stream Online, Preview, Team News, Prediction

Mar 14, 2012 01:02 PM EDT

When and Where: The UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg kicks-off from the Bernabeu at 3.45 p.m. ET. A live stream will be available at FoxSoccer2Go, with coverage also available on Fox Soccer Plus. If you're in the U.K. there will be a live stream on offer via SkyGo.

Preview: Everything appeared to be going to plan for Real Madrid in the first-leg in Russia three weeks ago following Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half strike, but Pontus Wernbloom's late equalizer means that the tie is still very much alive for the return in Madrid on Wednesday.

Despite CSKA Moscow's credible draw, Real remain overwhelming favorites to progress in a competition where they and rivals Barcelona are the stand-out sides.

Real could hardly be coming into the contest in better form. Their incredible 11 consecutive wins in La Liga has lifted Los Blancos 10 points clear of Barca, with the league title almost certain to come their way come in May.

But the Champions League is a competition synonymous with Real and boss Jose Mourinho will be desperate to reclaim the trophy and fully knock Barca off their perch.

CSKA are no pushovers, though, and have even disproved the old theory that Russian sides do not travel well in Europe. A win over Italian giants Inter, as well as credible draws against Lille and Trabzonspor away in the group stage should give Leonid Slutsky's side some hope travelling to Madrid.

Team News: Karim Benzema is fit for the match after appearing as a substitute in Real's 3-2 win at Betis on Saturday. But, given the impressive recent goal-scoring form of Gonzalo Higuain, it would be a tough decision for Mourinho to bring Benzema straight back into the starting lineup.

Los Blancos will again be without Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria, who remain sideline through injury.

Though CSKA's Japanese star Keisuke Honda missed training on Tuesday, he is expected to be included in the team, with the club claiming he went for a routine medical examination. Pavel Mamaev and Kirill Nababkin will both be available again after being suspended for the first leg.

The main absentees from the CSKA team will be long-term injury victims Igor AKinfeev and Mark Gonzalez.

Prediction: While CSKA's late strike in Moscow maintains interest in the tie going into the return leg, ultimately it is hard to envisage it amounting to anything more. Ronaldo's away goal leaves the Russian side needing to match Real's goal tally at the Bernabeu, a task only Barcelona have managed this season.

Real have been in riveting form of late, and their extraordinary talent going forward means that CSKA will have their work cut out merely trying to keep the score down.

Real Madrid 4-1 CSKA Moscow

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: j.lemiere@ibtimes.com
To contact the editor, e-mail: editor@ibtimes.com

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