The second leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid (Spain) and Arsenal (England) will take place on April 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The first leg ended with a 3-0 victory for Arsenal. Real Madrid vs. Arsenal: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Madrid
In the first encounter, the Spaniards suffered a 0-3 defeat. This loss marked Carlo Ancelotti's side's second consecutive defeat in this European competition, with the team failing to score in regular time once again. To advance to the semi-finals, Madrid must thrash the English side by at least four goals. If they win by exactly three goals, extra time will be played. Notably, Real Madrid has only once in their history overturned a three-goal deficit in the main European tournament, which occurred in 1976 against Derby County (the Spaniards progressed thanks to a victory in extra time).
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Real Madrid's last 8 matches in this European competition.
- The Spaniards have won 6 of their last 7 home matches in the Champions League.
- Both teams scored in Real Madrid's last 10 home games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Real Madrid (3-4-3)
Thibaut Courtois – Raul Asensio, Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia – Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham – Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe.
Due to injuries, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, defenders Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal are out. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is suspended.
Arsenal
By defeating Real Madrid in the first leg, the English side extended their unbeaten run in the Champions League to seven matches (6 wins and 1 draw). During this period, the Londoners have won by a large margin five times. Notably, in the first game, Declan Rice scored two goals from free kicks, a feat never achieved before in the Champions League knockout stages. Mikel Arteta's side can now afford to lose by one or two goals. Arsenal has never been eliminated from a European competition after winning the first leg by at least three goals.
- At least three goals have been scored in the Gunners' last seven Champions League games.
- The team has scored at least twice in their last seven matches in this European competition.
- The Londoners have conceded exactly one goal in 8 of their last 9 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Arsenal (4-3-3)
David Raya – Miles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior – Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard – Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka.
Forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, as well as defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, will not play due to injuries.
Match Prediction: Real Madrid vs. Arsenal
For Carlo Ancelotti's side, the season could end in complete failure. Madrid have already lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, are likely to fall behind the Catalans in La Liga, and now face an almost impossible task in the Champions League – overturning a three-goal deficit. Nevertheless, I believe there is a slim chance to thrash the English side, but they must attack throughout the entire match.
Real Madrid play excellently at home in this European competition. In their last 19 home matches in the Champions League, the club has lost only once in regular time (15 wins and 3 draws), scoring in all those games. In 7 of their last 8 home matches in this tournament, Madrid have scored at least twice. However, they have also conceded in their last ten home matches in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta is well aware of Real Madrid's strength, so the Arsenal manager will likely rely on counter-attacks. I believe the English side will be able to catch the Madrid team off guard. The Gunners have not left the field without scoring in their last seven consecutive Champions League matches, scoring at least twice in all those games.
Considering all these facts, I propose the prediction: Both teams to score – yes
