Champions League
Stamford Bridge will host Wednesday’s Champions League clash between Chelsea and Real Madrid, the two teams who played out a 1-1 draw in Valdebebas a week ago.
Semifinals. Round Two 🏆
— Match Day (@Match__Daay) May 3, 2021
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The Blues produced a fine display in the first leg, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as favourites to qualify for the final.
Chelsea recorded a routine 2-0 win over Fulham at the weekend, meaning that they are high on confidence ahead of the visit of Real Madrid.
Mateo Kovacic is sidelined with injury, while Antonio Rudiger is a major doubt, and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Los Blancos, on the other hand, need to find the net in the return leg if they are to participate in their 17th Champions League final.
All Ramos, Marcelo, and Mendy are rated doubtful for the game, while Vazquez and Carvajal remain on the sidelines with injuries.
Anyhow, yet another close encounter is on the cards, and we are tempted to put our money on draw.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Chelsea Real Madrid played so far 3 matches.
Chelsea won 0 direct matches. Real Madrid won 2 matches. 1 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 3.67 goals per Match.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Prediction
Chelsea in actual season average scored 1.73 goals per match. In 19 (73.08%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 11 (42.31%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Real Madrid average scored 1.79 goals per match in season 2021. In 16 (69.57%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (43.48%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Chelsea are expected to make do without former Blancos midfielder Mateo Kovacic after he suffered a small setback in his recovery from a thigh issue, but Mason Mount is expected to be fit despite a scare against Fulham.
Tuchel is also optimistic that Antonio Rudiger will make the cut after he sustained a minor injury in the first leg, and the German's return could see Kurt Zouma drop out of the back three.
Cesar Azpilicueta was given the day off against Fulham so should displace Reece James at right-wing back, while surprise starter Billy Gilmour will occupy a spot on the bench as Jorginho and N'Golo Kante return to the engine room.
Pulisic and Mount will once again link up in the final third, while Tuchel has a big decision to make when it comes to who will spearhead the attack, and Havertz may edge out Werner after his man-of-the-match display at the weekend.
Real Madrid were expected to welcome 100-goal captain Ramos back to the fold for the visit of Osasuna, but the 35-year-old's calf problem prevented him from earning some valuable minutes, although Los Blancos remain optimistic over his fitness for the second leg.
Ramos would make a very timely return to the fold if he is passed fit as Varane was hooked at half time at the weekend, and the Frenchman has now been ruled out with an abductor issue.
Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez's absences may force Zidane to field Alvaro Odriozola from the off, especially if Nacho Fernandez has to fill in at centre-back, but Marcelo being called up for polling duty should not impact his availability for the second leg.
Should Marcelo be cutting it too close as he flies in on the morning of the match, Zidane will hope that Ferland Mendy shakes off a calf problem in time to start on the left, but midfielder Federico Valverde reportedly produced an inconclusive result from his latest coronavirus test.
Eden Hazard failed to influence the game from the start against Osasuna so may not start upon his return to Stamford Bridge, but Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will both return after being rested at the weekend.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Silva, Rudiger, Christensen; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
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