Apoel Vs. Real Madrid: Watch Live Stream Online, Preview, Team News, Prediction

Mar 27, 2012 06:45 PM EDT

When and Where: The first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final kicks-off from the GSP Stadium in Nicosia at 2.45 p.m. ET. A live stream is available with a subscription at FoxSoccer2Go.

Preview: David versus Goliath. It's a phrase that gets banded about often but if there ever was an occasion in the Champions League to use it then that time is surely now.

On one side sit Real Madrid, a club synonymous with the European Cup/Champions League, having won the competition more than anyone else, with nine titles.

Their opponents, Apoel, from the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, on the other hand, began their Champions League campaign back in July against Albanian side Skenderbeu in the second qualifying round.

They were soon the darlings of European soccer after becoming the first Cypriot side to make it past the group phase of the Champions League having coming through a tough section featuring Porto, Zenit St. Petersburg and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The plucky and able minnows then surprised Europe once again by coming through their round-of-16 tie with Lyon on penalties. But if Apoel were to even be competitive against Real for the duration of the quarter-final, it would surely top anything they've achieved so far.

And Apoel's manager Ivan Jovanvic realizes the imposing challenge that awaits his side.

"We're a small club in Europe, but we have a big heart," said Jovanovic, according to BBC Sport.

"In this case, surely we have to play the perfect game. But we don't know if that will give us the result we want, we can learn a lot of things from Real."

The form of the two sides also points in Real's favor. While Apoel could only muster a 0-0 stalemate with Nicosia rivals Omonia over the weekend to remain third in the Cypriot First Division, Real cast Real Sociedad aside 5-1 to stay six points clear in La Liga.

Team News: Apoel's chances are further hampered by the suspension of one of their star men, Gustavo Manduca, who was sent off in extra time during their win over Lyon.

The Cypriot's will feature one player with plenty of experience of Jose Mourinho's teams. Midfielder Nuno Morais played under Mourinho during the manager's spell in charge at Chelsea.

Like Apoel, Real will also be without one of their starters through suspension, with Xabi Alonso forced to sit-out. Esteban Granero is favorite to come into the midfield. Jose Mourinho is likely to bring back Mesut Ozil and Pepe back into his starting lineup following their domestic suspension.

Mourinho started with both Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain against Sociedad at the weekend, but is likely to pick just one away to Apoel. Benzema would appear favorite to get the nod.

Prediction: From a neutral perspective it would be incredible if Apoel could secure at least a draw at home to maintain interest in the tie heading into their big trip to the Santiago Bernabeu next week.

But with the way Real are blasting in goals with such regularity, it is difficult to envisage the La Liga leaders not getting at least one away goal that will put them in a commanding position for the return leg.

Apoel 1-2 Real Madrid

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