Real Madrid will be expected to return to winning ways when they host Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday evening, after registering their fourth defeat in five games against Levante on Saturday.
Los Blancos have failed to win a match in all competitions since September 22, and there will be mounting pressure for the European champions to boost morale ahead of a massive El Clasico clash at Camp Nou this weekend.
Julen Lopetegui's role as head coach is also in a precarious position though Goal understands he is expected to keep his job until at least the Clasico.
| Game | Real Madrid vs Viktoria Plzen |
| Date | Tuesday, October 23 |
| Time | 8pm BST / 3pm EST |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Univision NOW | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on BT Sport ESPN and streamed via BT Sport Live.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| BT Sport ESPN | BT Sport Live |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Real Madrid players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Navas, Courtois, Casilla |
| Defenders | Varane, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Odriozola |
| Midfielders | Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Isco |
| Forwards | Bale, Vazquez, Benzema, Asensio, Diaz, Vinicius Junior |
Both Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale came off the bench during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Levante in La Liga but both are in the lineup on Tuesday to lead the line.
Toni Kroos is another returnee after being an unused substitute in the loss to Levante, and he is joined as usual by Isco, Luca Modric and Casemiro to complete the midfield.
Dani Carvajal, who was injured in the 42nd minute against CSKA Moscow, misses out once again with Lucas Vazquez stepping in to a wingback role.
Real Madrid XI: Navas, Vazquez, Ramos, Fernandez, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Isco, Benzema, Bale
| Position | Viktoria Plzen players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Kozacik, Hruska, Svacek |
| Defenders | Hejda, Hubnik, Limbersky, Reznik, Hajek, Havel, Pernica |
| Midfielders | Prochazka, Horava, Zeman, Petrzela, Hrosovsky, Bucha, Cermak, Ekpai |
| Forwards | Krmencik, Chory, Reznicek |
The duo of Radim Reznik and Lukas Hejda returned from injury for Friday's 2-2 draw against Bohemians 1905 in the league, but only Hejda was included amongst the starters with Rezink named to the bench.
Jan Kopic is still out of the squad with an ankle injury, while top-scorer Michael Krmenvic is due to lead the line.
Viktoria Plzen XI: Hruska, Limbersky, Hubnik, Hejda, Reznik, Prochazka, Hrosovsky, Petrzela, Cermak, Havel, Krmencik
Betting & Match Odds
Real Madrid are priced at odds of winning 1/14 according to bet 365, while a draw is available at 14/1. A win for the Viktoria Plzen is priced at 33/1.
Match Preview
Getty Images
Real Madrid have suffered their worst league start to a season in 17 years after slipping to seventh place in La Liga following the shock defeat to Levante, their fifth game in a row without a victory - with Los Blancos seemingly feeling the effects of the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.
Lopetegui could well be dismissed from his role after the Clasico following the disappointing run of form, with the Spaniard already facing pressure before the 2-1 loss to Levante and tensions increasing as the fixture at the Camp Nou draws nearer.
They did manage to end their scoring drought of 480 minutes without a strike in all competitions on Saturday, but their inability to find the back of the net will be a concern.
Los Blancos currently sit in second place in their Champions League group ahead of their meeting with Viktoria Plzen at the Bernabeu, though Lopetegui's camp will surely have one eye resting on the clash with Barcelona at the weekend.
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