Real Madrid aim to continue the rich vein of form and create a nice setting for the return leg against Lyon, and everything suggests they will have an easy job against struggling Hercules.
After hammering Malaga 7:0, Los Merengues recorded an easy victory in Santander and they now enter this match full of confidence.
Cristiano Ronaldo has resumed training after recovering from a hamstring injury, but he is unlikely to be risked against Hercules, while Sami Khedira returns to the side.
Jose Mourinho has doubts over Ricardo Carvalho and Pedro Leon, while Fernando Gago, Kaka, Alvaro Arbeloa, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Garay remain on the sidelines.
Despite the impressive start of the season, Hercules find themselves in a precarious position at the moment and they don’t have much to hope for before the trip to Santaigo Bernabeu.
Los Herculanos slipped into the relegation zone after picking up just one point from last four league games, so they can be forgiven for not feeling too optimistic at the moment.
Coach Esteban Vigo has received some good news this week as Royston Drenthe and Nelson Valdez has resumed training after the lengthy spell on the sidelines, although the Dutchman is ineligible to face his parent club.
David Trezeguet and Francisco Pena also miss out, while Olivier Thomert is an injury doubt. Considering the circumstances, it is little wonder Real are just 1.14 (1/7) to win the game at Victor Chandler.
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