How Real Madrid could line up against Manchester City

Real Madrid will be aiming to put their disappointing domestic form behind them when they welcome Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Los Blancos have exited the Copa del Rey and relinquished control of top spot in La Liga with two defeats and a draw in their last four matches overall.

Zinedine Zidane is a master when it comes to winning Champions League knockout games, though, having won all nine two-legged ties he has contested as Madrid boss en route to winning the competition three times in a row.

Ahead of Wednesday's visit of City, Sports Mole looks at how Madrid could line up against the English champions.

Out: Marco Asensio (knee), Eden Hazard (ankle) Doubtful: Gareth Bale (illness)

> Click here for Madrid's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Eden Hazard injured his ankle in the 1-0 loss at Levante on Saturday and could now miss the rest of the campaign.

Madrid have coped without the Belgian forward for the majority of the season, though, and Zidane can choose from the likes of Vinicius Junior, Isco and Rodrygo on the left of a front three that will be spearheaded by Karim Benzema.

Gareth Bale has struggled to hold down a place in the side this term and missed the Levante match because of illness, but he is in contention to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday against a side he knows well from his time in English football.

Zidane also has a big call to make in central midfield, where Federico Valverde is battling Luka Modric for a starting spot. Valverde has been given the nod in big matches this term and should get selected here.