Courtesy: UEFA
A place in the finals of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League will be on the line when Chelsea play hosts Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge this midweek. Chelsea prepares to welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday night, following an enthralling and rain-soaked first leg in the Spanish capital.
Thomas Tuchel’s team has the away goal advantage after the first leg ended 1-1 in Madrid, but they will face a difficult match as Zinedine Zidane seeks his fourth Champions League title.
However, Madrid is winless in their last four Champions League away games against English teams, drawing twice and losing twice.
Head to head:
The second leg on Wednesday will be Real Madrid and Chelsea’s fifth meeting, with the Blues unbeaten in their previous four meetings with Madrid (W2 D2).
Predicted line-ups:
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
Prediction:
Chelsea 2-1 Real Madrid
Real cannot rely on their tenacious but depleted defence to get to the Champions League final, as they must simply score goals at Stamford Bridge to secure a place in the showpiece event.
Such a strategy could leave Zidane’s men vulnerable to Chelsea’s pace on the counter-attack, and the Blues aren’t so bad at defending themselves, so Tuchel’s crop can expect a narrow victory.
Even though Eder Militao has been rock solid of late and Sergio Ramos will be back, Real Madrid could end up getting caught on the break in their pursuit of goals.
🏆 One place remains! Who'll join Man. City in the final? 🤔#UCLfixtures | @GazpromFootball | #UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 5, 2021