After back-to-back clasico defeats, Real Madrid will be looking to redeem themselves in the Champions League as they target reaching the quarter-final stage for the ninth consecutive year.
Los Blancos have slipped to third in the La Liga standings, 12 points behind Barcelona at the top and five points behind city rivals Atletico who sit in second place.
It’s been a difficult season for Real following the sale of star player Cristiano Ronaldo and the departure of manager Zinedine Zidane last summer.
Well off the pace in La Liga, out of the Copa Del Rey, their season once again hinges on Champions League glory- as it did last term.
First, they face a vibrant young Ajax team who have scored 82 goals in Eredivisie this season, but Real have put themselves in pole position to qualify following Marco Asensio’s late winner in Amsterdam to earn the holders a 2-1 victory to take into the second leg.
What time does it start?
Real Madrid vs. Ajax kicks off at 8pm (GMT) on Tuesday 4 March.
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport has captured every moment of Real Madrid’s last three Champions League campaigns where they have won the competition on each occasion.
Their game against Ajax will be broadcast live on the same channel, coverage will begin at 7:45 (GMT) on BT Sport 3.
Predicted line-ups
Ajax: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Blind, Tagliafico, Schone, Van De Beek, De Jong, Ziyech, Tadic, Neres
Real Madrid: Courtois, Odriozola, Varane, Nacho, Reguilon, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Vazquez, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Form guide
Ajax: WLLWWW
Real Madrid: WWLWLL
Head to head
Ajax 1 (Moisander) Real Madrid 4 (Ronaldo 3, Benzema), Champions League Group Stage, October 2012
Real Madrid 4 (Ronaldo, Callejon 2, Kaka) Ajax 1 (Boerrigter), Champions League Group Stage, December 2012
Ajax 1 (Ziyech) Real Madrid 2 (Benzema, Asensio), Champions League Round of 16, February 2019
Odds
Real Madrid: 13/20
Ajax: 16/5
Draw: 9/2
Real Madrid to go through: 1/9
Ajax to go through: 11/2
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-0 Ajax
