Chelsea will take on Real Madrid Wednesday in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final tie. Chelsea knocked out Madrid in last year’s semi-final 3-1 on aggregate, and both teams will be raring to go for the rematch. Let’s check this Chelsea vs Real Madrid Betting Analysis.
Recent Form
Chelsea had been on a six-game unbeaten streak until a post-international break hangover saw them lose 4-1 to Brentford in the English Premier League. The Blues won the most recent matchup with the Spanish champions 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last May.
Real Madrid has won six of its last seven, excluding a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Barcelona two matches ago. Their last Champions League outing finished in a 3-1 victory via a Karim Benzema hat-trick.
Game Information
The match will take place Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET inside Stamford Bridge in London, England, home of the Blues.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Betting Analysis
Chelsea Betting Analysis
The team has been a popular moneyline for fans of English and European football. The Blues win a lot of low-scoring games and rarely throw away leads, aside from the most recent example against Brentford. Lots of their games end up going under the points total.
Real Madrid Betting Analysis
Real Madrid has a record of 21-6-3 in La Liga and 6-2 in the Champions League picks; they have more variability in terms of goals total, both because of their more prolific attack and less secure defense, which often leaves their bets to be decided on a matchup-by-matchup basis.
Updates
Chelsea will be without left wing-back Ben Chilwell, a crucial component in the club’s Champions League domination last season, but counterpart Reece James will be back in full swing. This will be especially important as he attempts to deal with the speed and flair of Real Madrid left-wing Vinicius Junior, who would have been a headache for Cesar Azpilicueta one-on-one. Chelsea will have every member of its squad at full availability.
Real Madrid will be welcoming Benzema back after he suffered a calf injury in mid-March. The French striker had been in arguably the best form of any single player in the world and scored against Chelsea during the 2021 matchup. The Spanish giants will also be without Eden Hazard, Isco, and Luka Jovic, though none of these will be major concerns for manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Betting Preview
Most Champions League odds have Chelsea as a slight favorite to the visiting Real Madrid; there are also decent odds on a draw, which would be a successful result for the visitors.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Betting Prediction
This match will likely be decided in the middle of the pitch; Chelsea operates out of a double-pivot with N’Golo Kante and one of Mateo Kovacic or Jorginho, who will likely go against the midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric. The Blues were able to impose their speed and mettle in the midfield last year, which was a major reason they won, and they will have to do the same again.
Madrid has a serious advantage with Benzema in the lineup, even if he is still hampered by his injury. The Madrid legend will be the best goal-scorer on the field by a clear mile and able to snag a goal from nothing, which is exactly what he did during a monsoon in the first leg of last year’s tie.
On the flip side, Kai Havertz will have to conjure some of the magic he did during the late stages of last year’s Champions League run; he, too, has been in excellent form, keeping record-signing Romelu Lukaku out of the side and locking down a spot at striker.
The Reece James-Vinicius Junior battle will also be one to watch. The Brazilian winger creates many chances for his team; however, James has speed and unmatched strength and has a bit of a silently cocky attitude that forces him to rise to every challenge. If Vinicius manages to get past him and run into free space, however, then a goal would almost be expected.
How to Bet on Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Chelsea is a (+105) favorite to snag a win Wednesday, while Madrid is (+290). There are also (+230) odds on a draw.
Other Champions League betting odds also have spotted Madrid one goal, giving them +1 (-135) odds to Chelsea’s -1 (+300).
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