Schalke vs. Real Madrid: Prediction, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info

Real Madrid Captains Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas are not taking Schalke 04 lightly despite knowing that their team is the favorite to win the round of 16 matchup.

"They are very strong physically and play well on the break," Casillas said, according to Real Madrid News. "We have the advantage of the second leg at home but we'll go to Germany to win and try to go through to the next round.

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"Maybe they are not one of the favorites to win the Champions League, but we will have to play very professionally and respect the other team. We hope to go through to the next round," he added.

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When: Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:45 p.m. GMT (2:45 p.m. ET)

Where: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen

Watch: Sky Sports 4 / Sky 1 / Sky Go

Though everyone loves to support the underdog, it's difficult to see past an away win in Gelsenkirchen this week.

For all the promise and potential that the likes of Julian Draxler and Max Meyer hold in creative midfield, this is a Schalke team lacking in pedigree, having lost too many of their clutch encounters this term. 

DW's Ross Dunbar, though, does say that since his winter injury, Schalke have learnt to cope without starlet Draxler:

Carlo Ancelotti's men are on the hunt for an elusive 10th European Cup, but the Miners aren't likely to be prepared to stand off their European foes out of respect in front of a home crowd.

Read on for all the essential viewing information needed for Wednesday's head-to-head, as well as a prediction and preview for the round of 16 encounter.

Coaches:

Schalke - Jens Keller (GER) -- 43 yrs

Real Madrid - Carlo Ancelotti (ITA) -- 54 yrs

Leading scorers in all competitions:

Schalke - Jefferson Farfan (11 goals)

Real Madrid - Cristiano Ronaldo (34 goals)

Domestic league performance:

Schalke - Fourth in the Bundesliga, two points behind Bayer Leverkusen in second but 21 points behind leaders Bayern Munich

Real Madrid - Top of La Liga, three points clear of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid

Group stage performances:

Schalke - Second in Group E behind Chelsea

Real Madrid - Winners of Group B ahead of Galatasaray

European Cup/Champions League best performances:

Schalke - semifinals 2010/11

Real Madrid - winners 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000,
2002

Other honours:

Schalke - 7 x German champions (none in Bundesliga era), 5 x German Cup winners, 1 x UEFA Cup winners

Real Madrid - 32 x Spanish champions, 18 x Copa del Rey winners, 2 x UEFA Cup winners, 1 x European Super Cup winners, 3 x Intercontinental Cup winners