Real Madrid host Chelsea at Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final.
Real Madrid thrashed Liverpool to qualify for this Quarter-Final, whilst Chelsea fought back to edge past Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16.
Team News
Real Madrid have no fresh injury concerns to report after their La Liga defeat to Villarreal, with several players including; Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga in contention to return to the starting line-up.
Federico Valverde will start in midfield amidst a legal investigation into a post-match attack on Alex Baena.
Ferland Mendy remains absent with a muscle injury.
Chelsea could be without Mason Mount after he missed their Premier League defeat at Wolves with a pelvis injury.
N’Golo Kante (fitness) was rested at Molineux and is set to return for this match.
Cesar Azpilicueta (concussion) could return if he is match-fit but Thiago Silva and Armando Broja (both knee) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Real Madrid host Chelsea in the first leg of their Quarter-Final at 9pm CET (8pm UK Time) at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, on Wednesday 12 April, with BT Sport broadcasting the match live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Real Madrid have won just one of four previous Champions League meetings against Chelsea (W1, D1, L2).
- Chelsea have avoided defeat in each of their two previous Champions League visits to Real Madrid (W1, D1).
- Chelsea have kept just two clean sheets in seven previous meetings against Real Madrid in all competitions.
- Just one of Karim Benzema’s three Champions League goals for Real Madrid this season came at home.
- Raheem Sterling has scored in three of Chelsea’s four home games in this season’s Champions League.
Prediction
Although their attacking prowess isn’t in any sort of doubt, Real Madrid have lost two of their last four matches and did lack energy and desire at various points in their defeat to Villarreal, so I do expect a serious response here with players like Modric and Camavinga back in the line-up.
Chelsea meanwhile know that this competition is must-win if they want European football next season given their league position, yet something huge absolutely is needed here after a lacklustre attacking effort in their defeat at Wolves amidst solid if lucky defending at times.
I though am struggling to see how Chelsea will be able to stop Real Madrid free-flowing attack unless they nail every aspect of their play, which looks unlikely given their low confidence and general quality so it is a case of how many can the hosts score on home turf.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea
Result: Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea
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