Prediction: Real Madrid vs Chelsea

Verdict: Karim Benzema to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Simply looking to finish off the job and extend on their Champions League adventure, Real Madrid will welcome Chelsea to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, stunning many across Europe yet again last week, there is no doubt that Real Madrid have only continued on what has been quite the purple patch. Eventually leaving Stamford Bridge with a stellar 3-1 romp away at the defending Europen champions, Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti will be calling on his side to simply finish the job off here. Pulling off a remarkable turnaround as they knocked out French heavyweights PSG last month, the one-time Everton boss has been filled with praise for his side’s recent purple patch. While Los Blancos might have entered March’s international break with that shocking 4-0 defeat against bitter rivals Barcelona, it appears that Madrid are storming their way towards another domestic crown. Last seen over the weekend picking up a 2-0 victory against Getafe on home soil, Tuesday’s hosts also have one attacking talisman who is arguably in the form of his life. Bagging a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last week, the red-hot Karim Benzema has now racked up 11 Champions League strikes so far.

Team News

Real Madrid will be without central defender Eder Militao on Tuesday night as he serves a suspension.

Likewise, former Chelsea man Eden Hazard will once again miss out here as he deals with another injury issue.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might know that they face a huge task when they travel out to Spain on Tuesday night, they should be boosted by a rampant display over the weekend. Despite slumping to what was a stunning 4-1 defeat at the hands of Premier League debutants Brentford earlier in the month, Thomas Tuchel’s men really came roaring back a few days ago. Eventually leaving a downbeat Southampton with an action-packed 6-0 victory to show for their troubles, the one-time Borussia Dortmund boss is calling his side to find some stability. However, while the defending European champions might be looking for somewhat of a miracle here, it should be noted that they have continued to shine on the road. Including that 6-0 win at St. Mary’s last time out, Tuchel’s men have now won each of their previous eight away fixtures across all formats, a run that stems all the way back to their Club World Cup success back in February.

Team News

Missing out at St. Mary’s over the weekend, Romelu Lukaku is once again expected to miss out here as he deals with an Achilles issue.

Likewise, the Blues will once again be without England international Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at Stamford Bridge last week, Real Madrid picked up a thumping 3-1 first-leg victory.
• French international Karim Benzema has racked up 11 Champions League strikes this season, including a hat-trick against Chelsea last week.
• Chelsea’s 6-0 win against Southampton over the weekend means that they have won each of their previous eight away fixtures across all formats.
• Real Madrid have won eight of their previous nine matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to February 15th.
• Four of the last five meetings between Tuesday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Storming their way to that 3-1 victory away at Stamford Bridge last week, there is no doubt that Real Madrid will be confident of finishing of the job here. Running rampant in west London and now sat in pole position to collect another notable European scalp, Los Blancos also have one attacking talisman enjoying a remarkable run of form. Bagging yet another Champions League hat-trick in the first-leg last week, French international Karim Benzema is arguably in the form of his life. Almost single-handily knocking PSG out of this season’s tournament last month and with 11 European strikes to his name, we’re backing the red-hot former Lyon man to extend on his remarkable purple patch on Tuesday night.

Verdict: Karim Benzema to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet