This will be one of the most interesting ties in the Champions League quarter-final round with Real Madrid looking to prove their title credentials against high-flying Tottenham.

Los Merengues really impressed against Lyon last time out, once again proving that Santiago Bernabeu is becoming a real fortress.

However, the weekend’s home defeat to Sporting Gijon not only marked the end of Real’s La Liga title ambitions but also acted as a real blow to the players’ confidence before such an important game.

The only positive from that game was the fact that Gonzalo Higuain returned into action following the lengthy spell on the sidelines, which is great news now that Karim Benzema is sidelined with injury.

With the La Liga title already lost, Jose Mourinho is expected to risk Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo against Tottenham even though both players are carrying knocks and they are both expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Casillas – Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo – Khedira, Xabi Alonso – Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo – Adebayor.

Tottenham have already achieved a historic success by making it to the Champions League quarter-finals, but Spurs are determined not to stop there.

They have had a lot of problems recently since the injury-plagued squad are no longer able to cope with the busy schedule, with Tottenham failing to win any of their last five games.

What is more, usually free-scoring Spurs have failed to score a single goal in last three games and they are now 2.10 (11/10) not to score at Sportingbet.

Harry Redknapp faces a real selection headache as Steven Pienaar, Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, Alan Hutton and Younes Kaboul have been ruled out of the clash, but the problems don’t end there.

Gareth Bale and William Gallas are major doubts at the moment and Tottenham doctors are doing everything in their power to give them a decent chance of playing at Santiago Bernabeu.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Gomes – Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto – Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale – van der Vaart – Crouch.

Real are 1.44 (4/9) to win the game at Bodog, whereas Tottenham are 2.88 (17/9) not to lose the game at Sportingbet.