Chelsea won't succeed where Liverpool failed
The semi-final stage of the 2020/2021 Champions League is here, and the first match to be contested will be between Real Madrid, conquerors of reigning English champions Liverpool, and fellow Premier League outfit Chelsea in the Spanish capital. The visitors held Porto relatively at arm's length over the two legs of the quarters, but will be under no illusions whatsoever that the path to the final is an altogether more daunting task. Even though Zinedine Zidane's men are not at their peak, they brushed the Merseyside giants aside, putting in a resolute defensive display to confirm their progress. The Blues are similarly tight at the back, but might have to battle hard to have a chance in the return fixture. Read our preview here:
A right old Hazard
Zidane's men have drawn three blanks in their last four encounters across domestic and continental competition, whilst giving up absolutely nothing in return. This sequence has seen them play three of the less vaunted sides in La Liga, and only managing five points, most recently being held to another stalemate by Europa League pretenders Real Betis at home. Nevertheless, there will be more attacking options for the hosts to choose from on Tuesday night; whilst he probably won't start the game, Belgian wizard Eden Hazard will be chomping at the bit to feature against his former employers in a campaign utterly dogged by injury. The 30 year old has only featured in 14 matches this year, and none on the international stage for his country. He will know better than most how to unlock the west London outfit's backline, and should pass on that advice to Vinícius Júnior, who'll be operating in his favoured left-sided role in the attacking trio. Elsewhere, commanding centre back Raphaël Varane will partner Éder Militão, making Chelsea's route to goal that much more difficult to access,
You can Kanté on him
Thomas Tuchel's charges have put clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack for the final Champions League qualification spot in England with their 1-0 win over rivals West Ham United. In a similar vein to Madrid, goals have been few and far between in recent games, but meaningful defeats have also been non-existent, with the German head coach leading his new side to the FA Cup final as well as the semis of this tournament. On the pitch, only former Real bit-part midfielder Mateo Kovačić will be absent from the matchday squad. Timo Werner could be rewarded for his winner over the Hammers by starting as one of the two attack-minded midfielders behind Kai Havertz as the combination look to operate in between the lines of a veteran lineup in white. Additionally, their likely XI is replete with players who live for the big match occasions, none moreso than N'Golo Kanté. The French dynamo will be tasked with ensuring the trio in defence are well protected whilst also being mindful of the need to push on to help give his more attacking teammates the freedom to get forward and make the most of their meagre chances.
Royal decree
Chelsea have rarely given away anything cheaply since Tuchel took over. He has done a very good job thus far of firstly steadying the ship, and then steering it to proverbially calmer waters. True, he will be hoping for a more clinical edge to their play overall, but that's probably not going to start manifesting itself on Tuesday. Real are the slight favourites to progress, and it's hard to look past a narrow win for the hosts on the night. bet365 have odds of 2.35 for Real to have first leg advantage.
