CSKA Moscow - Real Madrid Preview: Jose Mourinho's side look to keep their 100 per cent Champions League record intact in Russia

The Spanish giant will vie to extend their imperious domestic form into Europe - but face a stern test of their credentials in frigid Moscow.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

CSKA MOSCOW Chepchugov A Bere'ski, V Bere'ski, Igna'vich, Schennikov Wernbloom, AldoninOliseh, Dzagoev, Musa Doumbia

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo Khedira, AlonsoOzil, Kaka, Ronaldo Benzema

CSKA Moscow have some key personnel missing Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Real Madrid, including goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (torn knee ligaments), Mark Gonzalez (hip) and playmaker Keisuke Honda (knee).

Latvian midfielder Aleksandrs Cauna, who underwent surgery in mid-January after breaking his toe, is also ruled out, while Pavel Mamaev and Kirill Nababkin serve one-match suspensions.

The absence of several established players could force CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky to hand competitive debuts to January signings Pontus Wernbloom and Ahmed Musa.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho will be deprived of the services of Angel Di Maria, who aggravated a leg injury during Saturday's win over Racing Santander.

Also sitting out the trip to the Russian capital is Lassana Diarra, who is nursing a back problem, while Hamit Altintop is sidelined with a calf injury. Karim Benzema is likely to retain his place in attack ahead of Gonzalo Higuain.

DID YOU KNOW?

CSKA Moscow, who are currently enjoying their three-month winter break in Russia, have not played a competitive match since December 7, when they beat Italian giants Inter 2-1 at San Siro in the group stages.

• The Russian side have never faced Real Madrid before, but are unbeaten against Spanish opposition in five outings (W3 D2).

• Should CSKA win against Real, it would represent their 50th victory in Uefa club competitions.

• Real Madrid have won 27 of their last 30 matches in all competitions, scoring in every game in that sequence.

• Los Merengues are the only side in the competition with a 100 per cent record and boast the best defence with just two goals conceded.

• Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) has converted 23 successive penalty kicks for Real since failing against Almeria in December 2009.

Players to Watch

Seydou Doumbia
Position:	Striker
Squad Number:	8

Games	Goals	YC	RC
5	5	2	1

The Ivorian has shone in his first full season in Russia, notching 33 goals in 41 appearances, including five in the Champions League. The 24-year-old will want to shake off the disappointment over his country's defeat in the final of the African Cup of Nations and help the Russian outfit take an advantage to the Bernabeu for the second leg.

First Goal Scorer Seydou Doumbia Bet £10 win £85.00

First Goal Scorer Seydou Doumbia Bet £10 win £100.00

Kaká
Position:	Midfielder
Squad Number:	8

Games	Goals	YC	RC
3	1	0	0

The mercurial Brazilian may not have hit the dizzying heights that he achieved in Italy with AC Milan, but his recent solid displays have earned him a consistent run in the team. The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner will be out to prove a point to his national team boss Mano Menezes, who last week omitted him from the Brazil squad for a friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prediction

Despite their spate of injuries and suspensions, CSKA are not to be taken lightly at home as they will be more accustomed to playing on the artificial turf of the Luzhniki stadium and the sub-zero Moscow night. The visitors have far too much quality in their ranks, though, and should have enough to secure a win.

Editor's Prediction

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