Arsenal vs Real Madrid Predictions

• Both teams have scored in five of Arsenal’s last six games
• The Gunners have managed just two clean sheets in their last nine at home
• Real Madrid have seen BTTS land in seven of their last eight

What next for Real?

While Real Madrid are the Champions League’s most dominant side, they’re fortunate to have reached the last eight of this season’s competition. Their shootout win over Atletico Madrid featured an incredible decision to disallow Julian Alvarez’s penalty, while Real looked incredibly vulnerable in the second-leg against their rivals.

Their run to the last eight has been tagged with the usual inevitability that follows Real in Europe. However, they progressed at the expense of a weak Man City side in the first knockout round, before struggling in the last 16. The Spanish giants were poor in the league phase, while their recent results suggest they’re vulnerable.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost 2-1 at home to Valencia on Saturday, days after a 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey. The Spanish giants needed a second-half rally to turn around a 2-1 deficit at home to Leganes last month, so Arsenal have an opportunity here.

Decisive game for Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign has been a successful one, but too often they’ve fallen short in the biggest moments. That was the case at this stage last season, when they exited the Champions League against Bayern Munich.

With the title beyond them, Arsenal have to take their chance against Real on Tuesday. However, Arteta has been forced into a defensive reshuffle with Gabriel ruled out for the rest of the season.

Arsenal’s standards have slipped at the back of late, as they’ve seen both teams score in five of their last six matches. The Gunners have conceded in seven of their last nine home matches across all competitions, while they face an impressive Real Madrid frontline.

Galacticos look open

While Kylian Mbappe is in fantastic form for Real, they did leave key gaps in their squad last summer. They failed to replace the retiring Toni Kroos, while their lightweight defence has been rocked with injuries after they failed to add depth.

Real have struggled for clean sheets, with both teams scoring in seven of their last eight games. They’ve got a makeshift back-four, which Arsenal can take advantage of. The Gunners are boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka, who has impressed off the bench since returning to fitness. He’s scored four goals across his last four appearances in this competition, so he can find the net against Real.

Back goals in this clash, with neither defence looking strong right now. With Real heading into this on a string of shaky results, Arsenal are backed to claim a 2-1 first-leg lead.