European champions Real Madrid are looking to defend the UEFA Super Cup as they take on Europa League winners Manchester United in Macedonia.

The game takes place in Skopje and looks a mouthwatering clash between two of the biggest names in world football.

The two sides have already met once this pre-season, when they drew in America but both bosses are taking the chance to lift a trophy seriously.

“This match is of the utmost importance,” said Real boss Zinedine Zidane.

“We’re here to win, nothing else matters. I’ve been at Madrid for 16 years, but I played for other teams against Madrid and they were the team you always wanted to beat. It’s Madrid – the best side in the world and you want to claim their scalp. We know every year it gets harder for us, but we have personality and hunger and we aren’t tired of winning.

We’ll play as we always do. We won’t change the way we play just for tomorrow’s game. We’re really up for the game. We want to win trophies, and we’ll try with hard work and humility. We won’t change anything in that respect from last season.”

Jose Mourinho is also looking forward to the clash and facing one of his former teams: “I’m excited to be playing the Super Cup and to be playing against the European champions. It’s an honour when it’s the European champions and even more so when these European champions are the team with the most history and trophies.

“We have to play and to enjoy a special moment because it is not many times a player has the chance to play in the Super Cup.

“I have a relationship which has carried on with some [Madrid players] – we’re in contact, on the phone – but with others there’s no relationship. But it’s the same with my players at Chelsea, Inter and Porto. If tomorrow I meet them, I would greet them all.”

See below for a run-down on the game, including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder, former player and GamblingTimes.com columnist Andy Gray and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey  together with everything you need to know from the bookies – with Ladbrokes’s William Geldart.

Football INDEX is a stockmarket game where players, known as Traders, take a position on the “future success” of footballers with real money – CLICK HERE to play and start winning, and take advantage of your £20 cashback only with TheGamblingTimes.

REAL MADRID v MANCHESTER UNITED
Tuesday, 8th August
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Venue:  National Arena Filip II 

TEAM NEWS: Real Madrid are waiting on the fitness of Crsitiano Ronaldo, who is lacking fitness and may not feature against his former club. Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are both suspended for United, whilst Marco Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young are sidelined through injury.
KEY FACT: Man United have lost two of the three Super Cup finals they have played
MATCH ODDS: Real 19/20 Draw 12/5 Man Utd 5/2
ANDY SAYS: I can see this being a close one and end in a draw – 1-1
GRAEME SAYS: I believe United will win this, be close but I think they will take it – 1-2
LADBROKES PICK: Both sides have found the net in each of the last seven competitive and non-competitive meetings. And with United winning six of their seven games in pre-season – and Madrid failing to hit the heights – the Red Devils can come through to lift the cup.
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Let’s go with the INDEX’s current number one player in Romelu Lukaku at £6.55 – big season ahead for the Belgian.