Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Preview, available players, prediction, team news, lineups, kick off time, key players missing the match
Chelsea and Real Madrid will meet in the last eight of this year's Champions League in a rematch of the 2020-21 semi-finals, with the first leg taking place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Thomas Tuchel's side defeated Ligue 1 champions Lille 4-1 on aggregate to advance to the quarterfinals, while Carlo Ancelotti's men staged an incredible comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
Team Updates
Chelsea will have most, if not all, of their big-hitters available for the first leg of their quarter-final, though Ben Chilwell is out indefinitely and Callum Hudson-Odoi is now dealing with a back problem as well as a knee injury.
Christian Pulisic was a late return from international duty and did not play against Brentford, but the USA international is expected to be in contention here and will almost certainly put Timo Werner's position on the left in jeopardy.
Tuchel is likely to consider a three-man central defense with Reece James' return to fitness, while Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic will both hope to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who will miss the second leg if he is booked here.
Real Madrid's Eden Hazard will miss a reunion with his former club due to a fibular plate operation, while backup striker Luka Jovic is a fitness doubt due to an ankle injury.
Ancelotti, on the other hand, is well-stocked for the return leg if he is cautioned, On the visitors' side, only one change is possible, with Dani Carvajal possibly replacing Lucas Vazquez at right back.
With his hat trick against PSG, Benzema has now scored eight Champions League goals this season, and one more would set a new record for French players in a single season.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
PREDICTION : Chelsea 1-1 Real Madrid