UCL Preview: Chelsea vs Real Madrid, Key-stats, Line-up, Odds, Prediction

Zidane-Tuchel-Real Madrid-Chelsea

Chelsea host Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals this week and the Blues will be hoping to book their place in the finals with a positive result at home. Their first-leg encounter ended in a draw (1-1).

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Key Statistics

Chelsea are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches (Champions League).

Real Madrid are undefeated in their last 6 matches (Champions League).

Real Madrid have won two, drawn one of their last three matches against Chelsea.

Chelsea

The Blues picked up an impressive 1-1 draw away to Real Madrid in the first leg of the tie and they will be heading into this game with the away goal advantage.

Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that his side can replicate their performance from the first leg here and it will be interesting to see if the Blues can dump the Spanish outfit out of the Champions League.

Chelsea have been very impressive defensively at home and they have conceded just five goals in 11 home games since Thomas Tuchel has taken over.

The home side will be without the services of Mateo Kovacic due to an injury and Antonio Rudiger will be assessed late on after missing the game against Fulham with a knock.

Possible Chelsea line-ups

Edouard Mendy; Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen; Cesar Azpilicueta, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho; Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner

Doubtful: Kovacic (hamstring)

The challenge is to keep the intensity going through the whole match. It is a semi-final; the pressure is on,- a knockout game, so to arrive with a level of belief and confidence is neccessary or we will have no chance.

I am not sure if they will play 5-3-2 again, maybe they will go 4-3-3. From this decision, things change. I believe that it is not about formation, what Real Madrid play, it is about how we play. Are we brave enough? Are we courageous enough.

The main lesson is that we can trust ourselves and we have the right to be in the semi-final. We deserve to be there and perform on this level. Will Ramos play? This is a tough question because I simply don’t know. Does it make a difference? Yes, a lot. It’s the captain of the most successful team in recent years. We cannot lose our heads about this decision. I think he will start and we must prepare for that.

N’Golo Kante is the guy you need to win trophies, that is why we are so, so happy he is here. He is unbelievable. He is quiet, he likes to have his own quality time. He’s not loud but I see him smile a lot, interact with anybody, but on his own terms. I am so happy that players like him exist. He is a pleasure to watch. He has the mentiality of a real helper.

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea manager

Real Madrid

Los Blancos will be disappointed with their performance at home in the first leg and they will have to play out of their skin to grind out a win here.

Chelsea have been very difficult to beat under their new manager and Real Madrid will be without key players due to injuries.

The visitors are undefeated in their last six Champions League games but they are in need of a win here and it will be interesting to see whether the players can step up and get the job done.

The visitors will be without Raphael Varane, Lucas Vazquez, Daniel Carvajal and Marcelo due to injuries. Ferland Mendy and Sergio Ramos are doubtful for the midweek game against the Blues.

Possible Real Madrid line-ups

Thibaut Courtois; Nacho, Casemiro, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco; Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema

Unavailable: Carvajal (hamstring), Vázquez (knee)
Doubtful: Mendy (calf), Varane (thigh)

I have a good feeling. We are pleased to be here in this game and we know what game to expect tomorrow. We know what we have to do and tomorrow we will give everything we have.

I won’t tell you now if Ramos will play tomorrow. He is here with us and that means he is fine. That is most important, to have our leader and captain with us.

We are here [in the semi-finals] because of hard work, believing in what we do and nothing else. There are no miracles in football.

We have to play our game, it is 90 minutes, maybe more. We are well-prepared. We are in a Champions League semi-final, you don’t play them every day. My players are well-prepared to perform tomorrow.

We need to perform well. Physically, we need to give everything we have. You have to dig in out there. That’s what we had to do in the first leg, and tomorrow will be the same. I am only worried about what we do with the ball. The team is ready.

Zinédine Zidane, Real Madrid Manager

Betting Odds

Chelsea : Draw : Real Madrid :: 2.10 : 3.40 : 3.60

Chelsea GoalReal Madrid GoalOddsQualification
116.50Extra-time
107.00Chelsea
008.50Chelsea
019.00Real Madrid
219.00Chelsea
1212.00Real Madrid

Prediction 

This should be another close contest just like the first leg but Chelsea have the defensive qualities to shut out the Real Madrid attack and grind out a positive result here.

The Blues have the away goal as well and they will be firm favourites to go through.

Real Madrid are struggling with injury problems and this might be too big of a challenge for them.

Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid