Chelsea take on Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Champions League, where they did the semi finals last season and will be confident of gaining an advantage on their home patch in the first leg.
The Blues were embarrassed to lose 4-1 at home to Brentford at the weekend in a bizarre ‘end
of season’ game.
It was 0-0 at half time, then Antonio Rudiger scored probably the best goal he will score in his entire career, before some devastating counter attacks saw the Bees turn it out thanks to a Vitaly Janelt brace, Christian Eriksen’s clever finish and Yoane Wissa’s misery compiler at Stamford Bridge.
Background
The Galacticos are running away with the La Liga title, but the difference in quality between the two leagues at the moment could show in this tie.
Chelsea beat Real with ease in last season’s semi finals and will back themselves to do so again.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were very uninspiring in their round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
It was not until the Parisians self-sabotage that Real came back into the tie and Karim Benzema stole the show with a very well taken hat-trick.
The Brentford loss is not too much of a concern when looking for an angle into this fixture.
It was straight after the international break and some individual errors certainly contributed to the surprising result.
Goals?
I prefer an outright angle with the goal line so low, Real will be hoping to stay in the tie for the home leg and without away goals there is less motive for them to come out of their defensive shape.
Chelsea have scored in nine of ten.
Chelsea have conceded in four of ten.
Chelsea have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Chelsea have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Real have scored in seven of ten.
Real have conceded in five of ten.
Real have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Real have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Despite their history, Real are inferior against Chelsea at the moment, Thomas Tuchel will be quietly confident of reaching a third straight Champions League final and they can take advantage in the first leg.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Red hot Benzema was too much for Chelsea to handle. 1-3.