Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid look to avoid a cupset as his former team, Chelsea visit Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of their 2021-22 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final.
With a 3-1 lead from the first leg, Real Madrid know that a win or draw would safely see them qualify for the semi-finals, whilst a 1-0 defeat would also be enough to advance on aggregate score.
Chelsea meanwhile simply must win to stand any chance of extending their title defence, although a 2-0 result would level the tie on aggregate and send the match to extra time and possibly penalties.
Team News
Jesus Vallejo is ruled out for Real Madrid after testing positive for Coronavirus.
Eder Militao is suspended after picking up his third booking of the campaign in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week.
Miguel Gutierrez (muscle), Isco (back), Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard (both ankle) remain absent.
Chelsea will have Cesar Azpilicueta available for selection after he missed Saturday’s Premier League win at Southampton through illness.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Romelu Lukaku (both Achilles), Ross Barkley (illness) and Ben Chilwell (knee) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Real Madrid have won just one of six previous meetings against Chelsea in all UEFA competitions (W1, D2, L3).
- Chelsea are visiting Real’s Santiago Bernabeu for the first time but have won just one of three away clashes against the Spanish club (W1, D2).
- Real Madrid have failed to keep a clean sheet in three matches when playing against Chelsea as the home team.
- Karim Benzema has scored six goals in three Champions League matches at home for Real Madrid this season.
- Chelsea have failed to keep disciplinary clean sheets in their last six Champions League matches when playing as the away team.
Prediction
With a two-goal advantage coming into this leg, Real can afford to lift their foot off the gas a little but I expect them to come out looking to press and cause huge issues especially around the box, which means that Chelsea must be at their defensive best to stay in this tie.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues however will be buoyed by their ruthless display against Southampton on Saturday where they were simply aggressive in attack, complete with excellent pace on and off the ball but they realistically must score first to give themselves any chance of winning.
I though just can’t see that win coming because they probably will also need a clean sheet as well as three goals, which is unlikely given Real’s form but they should believe in the impossible after Saturday’s ruthless display.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea
Result: Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea (Real Madrid win 5-4 on aggregate!!)