Champions League Preview: Real Madrid-AEK

The clash between these two sides earlier on this month proved to be one of the most entertaining spectacles so far this season.

The sides shared six goals, with the Greek outfit actually holding a 2-0 lead over their illustrious opponents until Zinedine Zidane and Guti had their say.

On Saturday Real Madrid looked a side devoid of ideas in their shocking 2-0 defeat to Racing Santander. We witnessed just how important Raul and Luis Figo are to the Merengues as without them, they struggled to penetrate a stubborn Racing back-line. For all Ronaldo's hard work, he was starved of service, and only had one real effort on target all night.

Vicente Del Bosque's men looked shaky at the back, also. Ivan Helguera looked unsure in the first-half, while on the left, Mario Regueiro often ran the capital club ragged.

Critics actually suggested that Real lacked hunger compared to a Racing side that hassled and harried all night long. Expect a reaction in this match. A win will see Real take their place in the next group stage.

AEK have had no action whatsoever since the side's last encounter due to the current lack of football in Greece, and the latest news is that the players will refuse to take a cut in wages to combat the current cash crisis in the country. This looks like it will run and run.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas, Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Celades, Cambiasso, McManaman, Zidane, Guti, Ronaldo.

AEK (5-4-1): Jiotis, Borbokis, Wright, Kostenoglu, Kapsis, Kasapis, Zagorakis, Kachuranis, Tsartas, Maladenis, Nikolaidis.