Chelsea meet Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge in second leg of their 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final.
Having lost 2-0 in the first leg, Chelsea must score at least three goals and not concede or win by a three-goal margin at minimum to stand any chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Real Madrid meanwhile know that a win or draw would be enough to see them through, although a defeat by just an one goal margin would be enough to see them advance.
Team News
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (pictured) and Kai Havertz are doubtful for Chelsea after the pair missed the Blues’ Premier League defeat to Brighton with respective back and knee injuries.
Carney Chukwuemeka (knock), Kalidou Koulibaly (hamstring) and Armando Broja (knee) remain absent.
Real Madrid have no fresh injury concerns to report following their La Liga win against Cadiz last weekend.
Ferland Mendy (muscle) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge, London, in a 8pm kick-off on Tuesday 18 April, live on BT Sport 1 in UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have avoided defeat in three of five previous Champions League meetings against Real Madrid (W2, D1, L2).
- Real Madrid have won one of two previous Champions League visits to Chelsea (W1, L1).
- Real’s Karim Benzema has scored five goals in his last three Champions League appearances against Chelsea (W2, L1).
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last four European ties in which they lost the first leg away from home (W4, L1).
- Real’s Vinicius Junior has scored four goals in three of his four away appearances in this season’s Champions League, only failing to score in a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Prediction
Despite being outclassed in their defeat against Brighton on Saturday, Chelsea can take heart from ending their four-match goal drought with a spirited display and a lucky goal amidst a lack of high-quality intensity and end product.
Frank Lampard’s Blues therefore need to now build upon the positives of that performance – especially from Conor Gallagher’s midfield energy and movement – and strike first with a lively home crowd to lift spirits, otherwise they’re definitely heading out.
Real Madrid meanwhile were wasteful in their win at Cadiz but with a two-goal lead, they can afford to relax a bit, although I do see them coming out and trying to kill off this tie early on given their attacking quality then control the game to its finish.
Should Real indeed opt to try and strike early, I do wonder if it could suit Chelsea but surely there is no way that the Blues will mount a comeback given their various issues.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid
Result: Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (Real Madrid win 4-0 on aggregate!!)