Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Chelsea vs Real Madrid is the next first leg match in this year's UEFA Champions League quarter finals. Real Madrid plan to take revenge on Chelsea for last year's UCL exit as they travel to London on Wednesday.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Match Preview:

After the international break, the Blues were stunned by their west London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Christian Eriksen among the goal scorers as Thomas Tuchel's side collapsed in humiliating, uncharacteristic fashion after initially leading through Antonio Rudiger.

Chelsea must swiftly recover from a first defeat to Brentford since 1939 that bore none of the hallmarks of their recent admirable on-pitch form that saw them put aside the significant off-field distractions linked to the club's impending takeover.

Tuchel is desperate for his side to successfully retain their European crown after seeing off Lille in the last 16, but they face a stern quarter-final test against the 13-time continental champions.

Madrid bounced back from their El Clasico rout by Barcelona to defeat Celta Vigo on Saturday in a game in which Karim Benzema scored two of three penalties, with Los Blancos now 12 points clear in the LaLiga title race with only eight matches left to play.

The visitors – who look set to be without ex-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti again in west London due to Covid – will fear no one after their incredible comeback to topple Paris Saint-Germain in the last round, which saw them overturn a 2-0 deficit courtesy of a stunning 17-minute Benzema treble.

Team News:

Chelsea:

Chelsea will have most if not all of their big-hitters available for the first leg of their quarter-final, although Ben Chilwell remains out for the long-term and Callum Hudson-Odoi is now dealing with a back problem as well as a sore Achilles.

Back to work! 🤙 pic.twitter.com/HTPDq9QJVG

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2022

Christian Pulisic was a late return from international duty and did not take part against Brentford, but the USA international is expected to come into contention here and will certainly put Timo Werner's spot on the left at risk.

Reece James's return to fitness is sure to lead Tuchel to consider a switch to a three-man central defence, while Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic will both hope to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who will miss the second leg if he is booked here.

Real Madrid:

As for Real Madrid, Eden Hazard will be forced to miss out on a reunion with his former club after undergoing a fibular plate operation, while backup striker Luka Jovic is a fitness doubt due to an ankle problem.

Ancelotti is otherwise well-stocked for the first leg, although Eder Militao will not be available for the return leg if he is cautioned, and only one change could occur on the visitors' end, with Dani Carvajal potentially displacing Lucas Vazquez at right-back.

Benzema's hat trick against PSG saw him move onto eight Champions League goals for the season, and one more would see him set a new record for French players in a single campaign.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Head to Head:

In three head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Real Madrid have won one game, lost one and drawn one.

The two clubs last faced each other last year in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the second leg, courtesy of goals from German attacker Timo Werner and England international Mason Mount.

Recent performances in all competitions:

Chelsea:

3-1 win over Norwich City

1-0 win over Newcastle United

2-1 win over Lille

2-0 win over Middlesbrough

4-1 losa against Brentford

Real Madrid:

4-1 win over Real Sociedad

3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain

3-0 win over Mallorca

4-0 loss against Barcelona

2-1 win over Celta Vigo

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Predicted Line-ups:

Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Edouard Mendy, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Reece James, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Alonso, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz

Real Madrid Predicted XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior

CHE vs RMA: Dream11 Predictions: