Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | UCL 2021-22

Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid

Chelsea will play Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the first leg of the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.

Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)

Key Statistics

Chelsea have kept six clean sheets from their last ten games.

The Blues have failed to score only once in their last 15 games in all competitions.

At home, they have lost just once in 18 games in all competitions (W12, D5).

Real Madrid have won their last three away games.

The visitors have kept four clean sheets from their last five away games.

They have scored 2+ goals in five of their last six games in all competitions. 

Head to head

Chelsea have won Real Madrid two times in their last three competitive head-to-head meetings (D1). 

Latest performances in all competitions

Chelsea: L-W-W-W-W

Real Madrid: W-L-W-W-W

Chelsea

After their embarrassing loss in the Premier League, Chelsea will turn their attention to their UEFA Champions League title defence when they welcome Real Madrid to London this Wednesday. 

The Blues come into this game on the back of a 1-4 loss to Thomas Frank’s Brentford in the English Premier League. A second-half brace from Vitaly Janlet and goals from Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen and DR Congo international Yoane Wissa secured the win for Brentford, with Bryan Mbeumo pulling the strings for the visitors after Antonio Rudiger had put the home side in front.

Despite that defeat in the English domestic league, the hosts have been dominant in the Champions League this season. They made light work of Lille in their Round of 16 fixture, beating the French champions 4-1 on aggregate to book their place in this round.

Thomas Tuchel’s side bested Real Madrid the last time the two teams met, Thomas Tuchel’s team claimed a 3-1 win on aggregate.

With their focus now on the Champions League, Tuchel will be hoping that his boys shake off the demoralising loss and put on a good show against their illustrious opponents who have so far made a vast improvement from last season.

However, the German manager will be unable to call upon the services of left-back Ben Chilwell for this fixture. American attacker Christian Pulisic, centre back Trevoh Chalobah and England international Callum Hudson-Odoi are all injury doubts for this fixture.

Possible Chelsea starting line-up

Edouard Mendy; César Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger; Reece James, Marcos Alonso, N’golo Kante, Jorginho; Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz.

Injured: Ben Chilwell

Doubtful: Callum Hudson-Odoi

Suspended: None 

Real Madrid 

Real Madrid will look to avenge their semi-final defeat to Chelsea last year when they travel to London on Wednesday. 

The visitors were sent packing out of the UCL by Thomas Tuchel’s side last year and will hope to end the London’s side defence of their title by picking up a huge win over their hosts. 

Los Blancos claimed a 1-2 win over Celta Vigo last weekend thanks to a brace from the in-form Karim Benzema.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men produced a breath-taking turnaround against PSG in the round of 16 to get to this place, and will be in high spirits as they take on the reigning UEFA Champions League kings.

Ancelotti was the man that delivered the much anticipated La Decima, with his team romping to a 4-1 win after extra-time against City Rivals Atletico Madrid at the Estadio da Luz, Lisbon.

With Real Madrid failing to reach the Champions League semi-final since 2019, the Italian tactician was brought back to return the Spanish Giants to the summit of European football. Having already achieved that objective, Carlo Ancelotti will fancy his chances of beating Thomas Tuchel this time around when the two teams clash. 

With their place as La Liga leaders firmly secured, Real Madrid come into this encounter with no distractions. 

Meanwhile, Belgian ace Eden Hazard will not be facing his former team as the superstar remains sidelined through injury.

Possible Real Madrid starting line-up

Thabiut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric, Edouard Camavinga, Casemiro; Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema.

Injured: Eden Hazard, Isco, Luka Jovic

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid