The UEFA Champions League is back and Real head to Nicosia having found life domestically and in Europe far from comfortable in recent times.

A shock defeat to Girona and the derby draw with Atletico have left Real 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, while a 3-1 loss to Tottenham in their last Champions League outing means the holders still have work to do to qualify for the last 16.

However, a victory over Group H minnows Apoel would ensure Real will be through to the knockout stages for a 15th successive season.

A draw at the GSP Stadium might also be enough for Real - should Borussia Dortmund fail to beat already-qualified Spurs - but limping through courtesy of results elsewhere will do little to answer the growing question marks surrounding the Spanish giants.

Elsewhere, Tottenham travel to Borussia Dortmund knowing they will secure top spot in Champions League Group H if they match Real Madrid's result later tonight.

A deserved 3-1 win against the holders on November 1 puts Spurs in the driving seat, but they come into the game off the back of a demoralising 2-0 loss at rivals Arsenal.

Dortmund must win to keep their faint hopes of a place in the knockout stages alive, qualification Spurs are already assured of, but have just one competitive victory - against third-tier Magdeburg in the cup - since September.

The kick-off time for the games is 7:45pm GMT.

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