CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOLDERS REAL MADRID HOST 2021 WINNERS CHELSEA. PREDICTION

Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Chelsea is as big as it gets as the holders look to make a run for back to back titles.

Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 at the Stade de France in last season’s final to win a record-extending 14th title.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side repeated their success over Liverpool in the last 16, winning by a 6-2 aggregate to book a spot in the quarters.

Chelsea on the other hand overcame a 1-0 first leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund to progress via a 2-1 aggregate score line.

The 2022-23 season marks the third time in a row that Chelsea have reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

Surprisingly, the Blues have not lost to any defending UCL champion since going down to Porto in the 2004/05 season.

Chelsea have lost only one of their last 9 Champions League games away from home against Spanish opponents and are unbeaten in their last 3.

Real Madrid have found the back of the net in each of their last 30 home knockout games in the UEFA Champions League.

Frank Lampard lost his first game in charge since taking over as interim coach at the weekend and this will be a true test for the Chelsea legend.

Can the Blues turn away from their poor English form and come away with something here? Click this link to place your bet on the game.

What time does Madrid vs Chelsea start?

The game kicks off at 21:00pm CET at the Santiago Bernabeau.

Madrid vs Chelsea team news

Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga were all rested in the defeat to Villarreal at the weekend and are all in line to start here.

Federico Valverde is also set to return to the starting line-up for the hosts.

The dynamic duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior will be the key points of attack for Madrid.

As for the visitors, Thiago Silva is fit again and may come in to the starting line-up as Wesley Fofana settles for a place on the bench.

Ngolo Kante returns and will start in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez and Matteo Kovacic.

Up front, the attacking trio of Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix are all expected to start.

Madrid vs Chelsea head to head

These sides met at this stage of the UCL last season with Madrid advancing to the semi finals after a 5-4 aggregate score line. The two teams also locked horns back in the 2021 UCL semi finals on that occasion it was Chelsea who progressed into the Final eventually going on to win the competition 1-0 in an all English final against Manchester City.

Only one game has resulted in a draw, a 1-1 stalemate in 2021.

Madrid vs Chelsea current form

The home team have won 3 and lost 2 in their last 5 games, while Chelsea have only managed one win in that run, losing twice as well.

Madrid vs Chelsea prediction

Goals have always been a plenty every time these two teams clash and the same can be expected here.

However, Madrid have been in great form at home and are favourites to win the first leg.