UCL 2022-23: Real Madrid vs Chelsea: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League has an exciting match in store for us as the last two winners of this prestigious competition go head to head against each other.

Real Madrid are set to host Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals first leg on April 12, 2023. Although the Los Blancos have fallen 13 points short in the La Liga title race, their quest for the 15th Champions League title is well and still on. A scintillating clash against Villarreal in their last run out in the LaLiga saw them succumb to a 3-2 defeat against the Yellow Submarine.

However, Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 30 home knockout games in the UEFA Champions League, since a 0-2 loss against Barcelona in the 2010-11 semi-final. They have progressed from seven successive knockout ties in which they played the first leg at home between 2012-13 and 2017-18 but have been eliminated from two of three such ties since.

Chelsea on the other hand find themselves in dire straits and are really struggling to find form even after the appointment of Frank Lampard as caretaker manager until the end of the season. Another loss to Wolves in the Premier League meant that the Blues remain at the bottom half of the table with just 39 points on board after 30 games. However, Chelsea have lost just one of their last nine Champions League knockout stage matches away to Spanish opposition (W3, D5), while they are unbeaten in three such trips (W2, D1).

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 12-04-2023, 7:00 PM (GMT)

Thursday, 13-04-2023, 12:30 AM (IST)

Real Madrid  Form (All Competitions): L-W-W-L-W

Chelsea FC Form (All Competitions): L-D-L-D-W

Player to Watch Out

Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior

Vinícius oozes confidence, and perhaps unsurprisingly given his Brazilian roots and favoured position as a right-footed, left-sided attacker, flair, flamboyance and dribbling ability are key components to his game. He is at his most threatening after having received a pass on the left against an isolated right-back which might be a duel to watch between him and Reece James.

Chelsea FC: Joao Felix

With Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Félix usually played as a second striker in a 4–4–2 formation, where he was tasked with linking up the midfield with the attack, as well as creating opportunities for the team's main striker, while also being given the freedom to make runs into the box and score goals himself.

Match Facts

• Real Madrid and Chelsea are facing in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League for the third consecutive season. Chelsea won the semi-final stage in 2020-2021 before eventually becoming champions, while Real Madrid won at the Quarter-final stage in 2021-2022 before eventually becoming champions.
• Chelsea have lost only one of their seven meetings against Real Madrid in European competition.

Injury and Team News

Real Madrid have only one possible injury in their ranks in the name of Ferland Mendy and it is very likely that David Alaba will be shifting in for his role at the left-back position. Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos are likely to start in the midfield who were all rested in their La Liga fixture against Villarreal. Karim Benzema has been in phenomenal form and his partnership with Vinicius Junior up front is an ever menacing threat for all opponents.

Chelsea on the other hand might have to make the trip to the Bernabeu without Mason Mount who is having a pelvic injury. Thiago Silva will also be a major miss for The Blues as his knee injury will keep him out for a few more weeks. The return of N’golo Kante in the midfield has looked promising but they are still not able to find the goals from Havertz and others up front.

Head-to-head Stats

Matches – 7

Real Madrid – 1

Draws – 2

Chelsea FC – 4

Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid Predicted lineup (4-3-3): 

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Chelsea FC Predicted lineup (4-3-3): 

Kepa; James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Kovacic, Fernandez, Kante; Sterling, Havertz, Felix

Prediction

Chelsea look shaky in the back and haven’t been in a goal-scoring form off late. Real Madrid on the other hand have had their troubles domestically but their prowess in the Champions League has been unparalleled. We are predicting it to be a straight forward victory for the holders of the UEFA Champions League.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Chelsea FC.

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network, Jio TV, Sony LIV

UK – BT Sport, BT Sports App

US – CBS Sports Network, CBS, Univision, fuboTV, Paramount+

Nigeria – SuperSport