Kick-off: 2000, 18/04/2023
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
TV: BT Sport
Chelsea have a mountain to climb when facing Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues must overcome a 2-0 deficit against the holders but have gone six games without a win in this competition and the Premier League.
We reckon 6/4 for the Whites to come out on top again is the way to go with our initial Chelsea vs Real Madrid prediction.
Struggling Blues lacking confidence
Chelsea threatened on the break early on at the Bernabeu, with Joao Felix put clean through but unable to finish and Thibaut Courtois denying Raheem Sterling.
However, Karim Benzema struck from close range after Kepa Arrizabalaga could only palm out Vinicius Junior’s shot.
In the second half, Ben Chilwell saw red for pulling back Rodrygo and Marco Asensio doubled Real’s advantage with a cool effort from the edge of the area.
Mason Mount looked set to get the Blues back into it late on, but former teammate Antonio Rudiger came up with a superb block.
Frank Lampard commented: “I think we had some chances and there were some good things, but the result is the reality.
“I’ve said to the players that special things can happen at Stamford Bridge. They’re a very good team but we have to believe.”
Chelsea have since lost 2-1 at home to Brighton, making it three straight defeats under interim manager Lampard, having also gone down 1-0 away to Wolves.
That form just isn’t good enough and the Blues are sadly lacking in confidence and self-belief, despite a memorable 2-0 defeat of Borussia Dortmund here in the last round.
Looking at the Chelsea vs Real Madrid odds, we like 31/10 for an away win by any one-goal margin.
Whites always rise to the occasion
Real have suffered from inconsistency in La Liga this term, but their ability to turn it on in big matches is still second to none.
Since the turn of the year, they have claimed Club World Cup glory, thrashed Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield and blitzed Barcelona 4-0 away in the Copa del Rey.
Veteran head coach Carlo Ancelotti will ensure the Whites do not take anything for granted in London.
After the first leg, man of the match Vinicius said: “We played very well indeed, pressing all the time.
“This was one of our best performances of the season, but it is only half-time. There’s a lot left in this tie. We just need to keep calm heads.”
Benzema continued his hoodoo over the Blues, having now netted six times against them from five meetings over the past three seasons.
That tally includes a Stamford Bridge hat-trick just over 12 months ago and the French forward will be keen to mark his 150th Champions League appearance with another goal.
Let’s add 23/10 for Benzema to score in an away win to our Chelsea vs Real Madrid betting tips, while he is 33/1 to strike first in a 2-1 victory.
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