Chelsea vs Real Madrid Predictions

• Real have gone through in 18 of the last 19 occasions they’ve won by two goals or more in the first leg in this competition
• Chelsea have lost four of their last five games
• Real Madrid have scored twice in each of their last five, winning four of those
• Benzema has scored in four of the last five meetings between these two teams

Uphill battle for Blues

The last time Real Madrid blew a 2-0 lead in the second leg of a Champions League tie, Chelsea’s players were so certain Real made it through that they were signing about a trip to Madrid on their way to the dressing room. On the same night that the Blues shocked Arsenal’s invincibles in 2004, Real dropped a 4-2 lead at Monaco to lose on away goals.

That means it’s almost 20 years since any side produced the kind of comeback against Real that Chelsea are looking for. Things are even more stacked against the Premier League’s 11th-placed side, as away goals can’t save them here. The Spanish giants have progressed in 18 of the 19 Champions League ties that they’ve led by two goals after the first leg, so the outlook isn’t great for Frank Lampard’s Blues.

Dire run for hosts

Chelsea followed up their limp loss in the Bernabeu with another defeat at the weekend, going down 2-1 to Brighton. Having spent months under Graham Potter dropping points while dominating in terms of chances, Frank Lampard’s reign has taken a turn for the worse.

The Seagulls’ victory on Saturday saw them rack up an xG of 2.52 to Chelsea’s 0.46, while the visitors had 57% of the possession. Lampard’s Blues were outthought and outfought, which doesn’t bode well for their encounter with the European champions.

The hosts are winless in six, losing four of their last five. They’ve conceded twice in four of those, scoring only three in return. There are huge issues all over the pitch for the hosts, so it’s hard to see them having any chance in this game, never mind the tie.

Benzema to send Real through

While the Blues are struggling, Real come into this clash with four wins in their last five. The Spanish giants have scored twice in each of those five and in Karim Benzema, they have a striker who can settle this clash.

Benzema’s last 11 Champions League goals have come against English teams, while his last 14 have all been in the knockout stages of the competition. The Frenchman has 14 goals and two assists for Real Madrid in his last nine appearances in the knockout stages, while he has found the net in four of the five meetings between these two across the last three seasons.

Back Benzema to find the net in Tuesday’s encounter, while Real look like great value in this clash considering the form of both sides. The Blues need to push forward to try and get back in the tie, but the Spaniards can catch them out on the break and claim a 2-1 win.