Real Madrid host Napoli today at Bernabeu in the champions league group C. Carlo Ancelotti will face his former club in mind that his Real team will be in the knock out stage in the new year.
Real Madrid are huge favourites to progress as winners of the group after registering four wins from four matches they have played in the group so far.
This means that they only need a point here to confirm their place in the last 16 draw that will take place in December.
Real’s recent record against Italian opposition has been formidable too, as they have won all of their last nine encounters against sides from Serie A, including a 3-2 win at the Maradona on matchday two.
Napoli will join Real in the last 16 if they win or simply match Braga’s result against Union Berlin this week.
Union Berlin’s woes this season means the Neapolitans are assured of some sort of European football in the new year, whether that be Champions League or Europa League, but their win in Braga means they remain huge favourites to finish second.
This will be a fifth consecutive progression past a UEFA group stage for Napoli, and they will hope it is a second successive one in this competition, where they reached the quarter-finals last season.
Real Madrid will be without their first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Eder Miltao Kepa Arrizabalaga Aurelien Tchouameni Eduardo Camavinga Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler while Napoli will be without Jesper Lindstrom Mario Rui and Mathias Olivera.
Despite having many players injured , the Los Blancos are expected to continue with their fine run in the competition but Napoli might get a point at the Santiago Bernabeu.
