Chelsea vs Real Madrid; Blues chance to make first UCL Finals should not be missed

Updated: 27th May 2023

2020-21 UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg preview: Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Stamford Bridge – Wednesday, 5 May 2021 – 20:00 BST          

Chelsea could be within sniffing distance from their first Champions League finals when they lock horns with Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-finals at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, 5th May.

The Blues got off to a scintillating start in the first leg, going ahead through Christian Pulisic in the 15th minute only to be negated out by a brilliant Karim Benzema volley on 29 minutes.

On the domestic front, the Blues' good run continued as they beat a relegation bound Fulham 2-0 on Saturday and came to within 2 points of 3rd placed Leicester City's 63 on the Premier League points table.

Real Madrid, too, had a 2-0 victory over Osasuna to show in the La Liga, finishing the week in the 2nd place with 74 points from their 34 outings.

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Chelsea form across all competitions: W/L/D/W/D/W

Real Madrid form across all competitions: W/D/D/W/D/W

Team News

Thomas Tuchel will have to do without the services of Mateo Kovacic as the midfielder will remain sidelined with an injury with N'Golo Kante and Jorginho making up for his absence in the middle. Antonio Rudiger seems to have recovered from the knock he took in the first leg and will be pushing for a start.

Mason Mount who was forced off late in Saturday's win against Fulham is most likely to start on Wednesday night.

For Los Blancos, Eden Hazard, who started in the win against Osasuna is likely to feature on May 5th in an upfront role alongside Benzema and Vinicius Junior. Sergio Ramos could return from injury but whether Zidane will choose to give him a start remains doubtful.

Raphael Varane, Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal have not yet fully recovered from their injuries and will not be able to make the trip to England.

Chelsea probable starting XI in a 3-4-3 formation: Edouard Mendy (goal); Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen; Cesar Azpilicueta, Ben Chilwell, N'Golo Kante, Jorginho; Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner

Real Madrid probable starting XI in a 4-3-3 formation: Thibaut Courtois (goal); Nacho, Casemiro, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola; Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco; Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema

The away goal along with their tight defense under Tuchel will give the Blues a slight advantage going into Wednesday night's game.

The match could start off on a cagey note but as Real go in search of goals they could open up the game and leave spaces for Chelsea's sprightly attack led by the likes of Werner and Pulisic to exploit.

Chelsea, though, are the online bookmakers‘ favourites to progress on May 5th.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid & Odds;

• Chelsea to qualify: 4/7
• Real Madrid: 5/4

Correct score Odds

• Chelsea 1-0: 11/2 (predicted scoreline)
• Chelsea 2-1: 17/2 (probable scoreline)
• Chelsea 2-0: 9/1
• Real Madrid 2-1: 11/1
• Real Madrid 1-0: 15/2
• Draw 2-2: 16/1
• Real Madrid 2-0: 16/1
• Chelsea 3-1: 18/1
• Real Madrid 3-1: 28/1

Anytime goalscorer Odds

• Karim Benzema: 6/4
• Olivier Giroud: 11/8
• Timo Werner: 15/8
• Kai Havertz: 11/4
• Christian Pulisic: 9/4
• Hakim Ziyech: 3/1
• Mason Mount: 3/1
• Eden Hazard: 3/1
• Vinicius Junior: 4/1 (SkyBet)
• Marco Asensio: 10/3

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