REAL MADRID take on Celtic at home in their final Champions League group game – and they need a win to finish top.
Los Blancos won their first game with Celtic 3-0 earlier this season but have since faltered a little, and are at risk of qualifying in second spot with RB Leipzig lurking.
- Start time: 5.45pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: BT Sport 4
- Real Madrid XI: To follow
- Celtic XI: To follow
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When is Real Madrid vs Celtic?
- Real Madrid entertain Celtic TODAY -Wednesday, November 2.
- It is scheduled to kick off at 5:45pm UK time – 6:45pm local time.
- The Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain is the allocated arena for this match and it can host a staggering 81,044 supporters.
- Celtic were humiliated 3-0 by Madrid on the opening matchday in September.
What TV channel is Real Madrid vs Celtic on and can I live stream it?
- Real Madrid vs Celtic will be broadcasted LIVE on BT Sport 4 in the UK.
- Build is set to get underway from 5pm UK time – 45 minutes before kick-off.
- Subscription holders of BT Sport can stream the entire action live via the BT Sport website or BT Sport app.
What is the team news?
Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema will sit out yet another fixture for Real Madrid having sustained a muscular fatigue injury last month.
However, it gives the opportunity for former Chelsea star Eden Hazard or tricky winger Marco Asensio to return to the side.
Elsewhere, Callum McGregor will continue his spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee issue.
But Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou could be tempted to reintroduce Carl Starfelt to the fold who is on the mend from his own knee troubles.
- Kieran Davies
Carlo enraged by decisions
It is rare to see Carlo Ancelotti as animated as he was on the weekend after his Real Madrid side dropped points for just the second time this season in La Liga.
After Girona equalised, Madrid had a goal disallowed in the dying moments with Rodrygo adjudged to have kicked the ball from the keeper’s hands, before Toni Kroos received the first red card of his career.
The result leaves Los Blancos a point clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
- Kieran Davies
Los Blancos frustrated at home
Real Madrid struggled to a 1-1 draw with Girona at Santiago Bernabeu on the weekend.
Vinicius Junior had given the defending champions the lead on 70 minutes after he bundled home a Federico Valverde cross.
A controversially awarded penalty allowed Cristhian Stuani to draw the newly promoted side level just 10 minutes later.
- Kieran Davies
Don appreciates opponent’s qualities
The Real Madrid manager spoke about tonight’s opponents:
Celtic are not going to change their identity. They're going to come here to play their football with intensity, with passion, with quality. We expect this. It will be an open game. I have a lot of respect for this team. I think for the quality they have they could do better in this group, but they were very close to having a result [against us in Glasgow]
Carlo AncelottiReal Madrid
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Real Madrid vs Celtic
Group leaders Real Madrid welcome already eliminated Celtic to the Santiago Bernabeu this evening, looking to seal top-spot in Group F with a win.
These two teams have some history in the competition, but it is hard to see anything but a win for Los Blancos this evening as they look to end their group campaign on a high.
Real Madrid will be without Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema for this one, as the Frenchman looks to recover from muscular fatigue which has seen him out of the side for the last 3 matches.
Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard may come into the squad, while Aurelien Tchouameni should return to the midfield after he was given time off against Girona on the weekend.
For the visitors, Callum McGregor will continue his spell on the sidelines after he picked up a knee injury against Leipzig.
Jota may start on the bench to manage his return to fitness but will be chomping at the bit to get on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch tonight.
Swedish centre-back Carl Starfelt missed the Livingston game on the weekend but could make a return to the bench as he recovers from a knee injury he picked up in September.
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