Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Champions League team news and prediction
The last Champions League semi-final meeting of the season kicks off tonight as Chelsea look to make their away goal advantage count and book a trip to Istanbul. However, Real Madrid, as the competition's most successful side, won't be pushovers at Stamford Bridge and despite the 1-1 draw in the first leg, this tie is far from over.
Ahead of tonight's tantalising second leg meeting, we provide all the need-to-know information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 5th May, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Stamford Bridge, London (England)
What TV channel is it on?
BT Sport 2
Chelsea started brightly in a rain-soaked Madrid last week, and perhaps should have gone ahead with just nine minutes on the clock when Timo Werner forced Thibaut Courtois into a point-blank stop. However, the Belgian was unable to deny Christian Pulisic from firing the Blues in front as the London side scored a crucial away goal in Spain.
Their lead lasted just 15 minutes, though, as Karim Benzema netted a sublime equaliser at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano to give Los Blancos a chance of securing a spot in the final. They'll need every ounce of luck to overcome Chelsea tonight given the Blues have conceded just five goals in the 11 games Thomas Tuchel has overseen in the capital following his January appointment.
Team News
Antonio Rudiger missed the 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday and Thomas Tuchel will hope to recover his compatriot for the welcome of Real Madrid with Kurt Zouma in line to deputise if required. Mateo Kovacic is ruled out for the Blues owing to a thigh issue. Tuchel may decide to name the same XI from the first leg, Rudiger's fitness depending, which would see Kai Havertz, who scored twice at the weekend, miss out on a starting spot.
Marcelo has travelled with the squad after he fulfilled his obligation to be part of a polling station in the Madrid Assembly elections, while Ferland Mendy and Sergio Ramos are also in line to return having missed the first leg. The latter's return is a huge boost with Raphael Varane ruled out for the Spanish side. Federico Valverde is also available, but Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez miss out, which may see Alvaro Odriozola start, though having impressed at right-back against Liverpool at Anfield, Valverde is also an option for Zinedine Zidane.
Probable XIs
Chelsea (352) - Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Chilwell; Werner, Pulisic
Real Madrid (433) - Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Key Battle: N'Golo Kante vs Casemiro
Had Mateo Kovacic been fit to feature, it remains to be seen whether N'Golo Kante would have started against Real Madrid, but the Frenchman excelled in the first leg as he completed more dribbles (6) than Los Blancos (5) in a superb midfield display. Having been used from the bench against Fulham, Kante will be raring to go as Chelsea look to secure a Champions League final spot.
However, he'll need to get the better of Casemiro again in order to help punch a hole in the Real Madrid backline. Kante managed that in the first leg, but the Brazilian has saved his best performances for the away matches when the going gets tough, with three of his four best rated Champions League outings coming on the road.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Real Madrid
