Preview: Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid continue the defence of their Champions League crown on Wednesday when they travel to Schalke 04 for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Los Blancos romped through to the knockout stage of the competition thanks to a 100% record during their group campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti's side won all six of their games in Group B to give them an 11-point lead over runners-up Basel.

Meanwhile, Schalke made it into the second round by finishing behind Chelsea in Group G. The Bundesliga side won two, drew two and lost two of their six matches.

The Germans will still be haunted by their meeting with Madrid at the same stage of last year's tournament as the Spaniards earned an emphatic 6-1 victory in Gelsenkirchen before beating Schalke 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

La Liga leaders Madrid's recent form has been typically dominant, with a chastening 4-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the league the only time that they have not won in their last six games.

In contrast, Schalke have been wildly inconsistent over the past few weeks. Roberto Di Matteo's men have failed to string two consecutive victories together since the turn of the year.

The hosts' problems are compounded by a long list of absentees to deal with as the likes of Julian Draxler, Jefferson Farfan, Sead Kolasinac, Leon Goretzka and Chinedu Obasi are all currently sidelined.

James Rodriguez, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos are all out of action for the visitors, but defender Pepe could be back in action following a rib injury.

Schalke:

Form in Champions League: DDWLLW Form in all competitions: DLWDWL

Possible starting lineup: Wellenreuther; Howedes, Matip, Nastasic; Kirchhoff; Uchida, Hoger, Barnetta, Fuchs; Boateng, Choupo-Moting

Real Madrid:

Form in Champions League: WWWWWW Form in all competitions: WWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Sports Mole says: 1-3