Real Madrid vs Chelsea prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-04-11 19:00.
For the third UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign in a row Real Madrid and Chelsea meet in the knockout phase, with the winners of the last two ties going on to win the trophy. With both faltering in the league this term and losing by one-goal margins at the weekend, they’ll likely be throwing everything at winning Europe’s premier club competition to salvage their faltering seasons.
Madrid were stunned by Villarreal on Saturday night (L 3-2), a defeat that realistically ended their hopes of retaining their La Liga title so they will be fully focused on defending their record 14th UCL crown. As they’ve now won their last four meetings with English clubs, including last year’s final against Liverpool, Madrid certainly shouldn’t fear Chelsea’s arrival.
Chelsea’s Premier League woes continued at the weekend, with caretaker manager Frank Lampard unable to get them back to winning ways against Wolves (L 1-0). Their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund to get this far was the highpoint of Graham Potter’s brief reign so they can be expected to again raise their game as they go in search of a third UCL title.
Having triumphed 3-2 after extra-time here last season despite ultimately losing 5-4 on aggregate, the Blues haven’t lost an away game on Spanish soil since March 2018 (W2, D2), which includes two visits to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid (W1, D1). However, they were beaten 1-0 by Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 match in Germany so can take nothing for granted, especially as they’ve won just one of their last 13 competitive away games (D3, L9)!
Players to watch: VinĂcius JĂşnior scored between the 40th and 50th minute in both of Madrid’s last two fixtures and laid on an assist in each leg of last season’s tie. Mateo KovaÄŤić, who completed the scoring in Chelsea’s last away win, also registered an assist at the BernabĂ©u last term.
Hot streak: Each of Madrid’s last five UCL quarter-final home legs produced over 2.5 goals (W3, L2).