Real Madrid vs Ajax Champions League Preview

PREVIEW

Jose Mourinho's men have already booked their place in the last 16 and have secured second place, and face the Eredivisie champions who are fighting to stay in Europe

PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID 

Casillas 

Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Coentrao 

Modric, Khedira 

Callejon, Kaka, Ronaldo 

Benzema 

AJAX 

Vermeer 

Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind 

Poulsen, Enoh, Eriksen 

De Jong, Boerrigter 

Hoesen 

TEAM NEWS

Jose Mourinho goes into the match knowing that their second place finish in Group D is secured. Due to their head-to-head results with Borussia Dortmund they cannot win the group, so the Real Madrid coach may opt to freshen up his starting XI. 

It is unlikely to be a complete overhaul, but Raphael Varane has been impressive in his rare appearances this season, and may be given a starting berth at the back due to Alvaro Arbeloa's suspension. Sergio Ramos could be shifted out to right-back. 

Xabi Alonso has been playing a lot of football recently and may be allowed to sit this one out, with Luka Modric ready to drop back into the deeper role in midfield. 

Despite resting some faces, Mourinho will still want to end the Group Stage on a high, so expect big hitters Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to still feature. 

Ajax, on the other hand, have plenty to play for. The Eredivisie champions are placed third in the group and find themselves one point ahead of Manchester City, and with a place in the Europa League up for grabs, they will need to put in a good performance at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Ryan Babel is still sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, so there could be a chance in attack for Danny Hoesen, who scored in Ajax's 3-1 victory over PSV at the weekend.

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Source: Goal