Champions League: Chelsea Hope for a Miracle in Madrid

Real Madrid vs Chelsea  

The 2021 Champions League holders are on their way out of the 2022 competition.

That is unless we see one of the most explosive turnarounds in European football when Chelsea visit Real Madrid for their second-leg quarter-final tie after they were humbled by Los Blancos at Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid were majestic in the first leg, winning 3-1 as Karim Benzema helped himself to a hat-trick in front of the stunned Chelsea fans and their baffled head coach, Thomas Tuchel. 

Los Blancos come into the game on the back of a comfortable home victory over Getafe, while Chelsea got back to winning ways, emphatically beating Southampton by six goals to nil. That performance has got them believing they can pull off a great escape, while serving notice to Madrid that this tie is not yet over.   

At SBOTOP odds of 2.27, Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos are favourites to win this second leg, but a draw or narrow victory will be enough, so Chelsea need a very special night in Madrid if they are to stay in the competition. 

Talking Points

Stop Benzema and you have a chance

The latest Champions League 2022 betting odds have welcomed Los Blancos into the top four at a price of around 7.00 to lift the trophy. With Paris Saint-Germain out of the competition and following Madrid’s epic performance in West London Ancelotti’s side are serious contenders.

And if Karim Benzema continues to score goals for fun then they could take some beating. The French striker is well in the hunt for the Golden Boot, his hat-trick in the first leg taking him to 11 goals, just one behind FC Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski. Bayern are in some trouble in their tie, losing their first leg to Villarreal.

Benzema brilliantly headed home a first-half brace to set the tone of this tie. And after Kai Havertz had pulled a goal back, the France striker restored the two-goal lead when he took advantage of a poor clearance by Edouard Mendy moments into the second half.    

A home game against Getafe on Saturday night gave Real Madrid a chance to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to 12 points and they did so efficiently, with goals from Lucas Vazquez and Casemiro. Ancelotti rested Luca Modric and substituted Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Casemiro with more than an eye on the Champions League. 

Chelsea won’t get travel sick  

Tuchel was bewildered by the way his team returned from the international break, losing to Brentford and Los Blancos. But the Blues hit form in spectacular fashion on Saturday, thrashing Southampton 6-0.

Mason Mount and Timo Werner scored two each, and the German striker hit the woodwork three times as the Blues ran riot after Marcos Alonso had given them an eighth-minute lead. Havertz also got in on the act tapping home a rebound from one of Werner’s efforts.

This was a performance to have the Blues believing again and, while Madrid is a little further away than Southampton, their fans will be there in force, expecting more goals.     

The midfield battles

While Benzema poses the biggest threat in either team, the midfield clashes will have a big outcome on the result, as each side tries to cut out the supply lines.  

Kante vs Modric

France midfield lynchpin N’Golo Kante is one of the best in the business, sitting in front of the Chelsea defence to provide invaluable cover. And his ability to break up play and then find a creative team-mate has been instrumental in both Chelsea’s and France’s recent successes.

He will be up against one of the best attacking midfielders in football if Luca Modric makes a start as expected. Twice awarded the La Liga Best Midfielder award, the Croatian legend is in the twilight of his career, but Kante will be under no illusion, Modric’s vision and ability to split a defence is second to none on his day.     

Casemiro vs Mount

With striker Romelu Lukaku likely out injured, Chelsea’s goals will come from elsewhere, and the red-hot Mason Mount will be a principal threat. While he scored a well-taken brace against the Saints, Mount also plays a pivotal role in the midfield, not unlike Modric, and he’ll come up against the 30-year-old Casemiro. The Brazilian ace plays in a more advanced position than Chelsea’s Kante, but he is a superb ball–winner, reads the game brilliantly and can frustrate Chelsea’s creative players.

History

While the Blues won their second Champions League in 2021, they are coming up against the competition’s kings who are dreaming of a record 14^th title.

Both teams are in good form, Chelsea have won four and lost two of the last six games, while Real Madrid have won five and lost one. While Los Blancos have won eight of their last nine in all competitions, the Blues are unbeaten in eight away from home.   

Betting Tip 

Chelsea are at odds of 3.01 to win this game, and they will go for it as they are in the last chance saloon… but I’ll be surprised if either goal-keeper keeps a clean sheet. We’ll be back in midweek with all the Champions League 2022 highlights and this is a clash we’ll have a close eye on. If Chelsea can get an early goal it could be a spectacular night.  

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.