Chelsea vs Real Madrid news: Blues hoping for some history repeating in Champions League

Kai Havertz hoping to be back among the goals for Chelsea

Defending champions Chelsea face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, and they will be hoping lightning does indeed strike twice in the same place.

Chelsea and Real Madrid will lock horns in the Champions League knockout stage for the second year running, with the troubled Premier League club hoping to maintain a remarkable record against the La Liga giants.

The Blues have never lost to Real Madrid, winning three and drawing two of their five matches.

They will be hoping to continue that run, with the first leg taking place at Stamford Bridge, although they will have to quickly bounce back from the shock 4-1 Premier League defeat at Brentford to do it.

When: Wednesday, April 6, 20:00 BST

Where: Stamford Bridge

Where to watch: BT Sport 2

Who is the referee for Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Frenchman Clement Turpin will take charge of the game, and it will be the first time he has officiated either of the two sides this season.

In fact, he is yet to referee any English or Spanish clubs at all in his five Champions League matches so far this season.

He was the man in the middle for both teams once last season, with Real Madrid beating Inter Milan and Chelsea losing to Porto on his watch.

Champions Leage record in 2021/22: Matches (5), yellow cards (14), red cards (4)

Recent form

Real Madrid certainly travel to London in fine form having won six of their last seven matches. That run includes a brilliant 3-1 home win over Paris Saint-Germain to overturn a first-leg deficit in the Champions League quarter-finals.

It also includes a 4-0 home thrashing by bitter rivals Barcelona in El Classico, and you know that one is going to sting for a very long time.

Chelsea have a very similar recent form having also won six of their last seven games. That has been achieved against the backdrop of the ownership issues arising from sanctions to Roman Abramovich, so they deserve credit for that.

In their last outing they were remarkably beaten 4-1 at home to Brentford. Perhaps it was just a blip, or perhaps their distractions are starting to catch up with them.

Chelsea and Real Madrid players in form

Chelsea have done well to generally spread the goals around this season, with the midfield and defence both stepping up in crucial moments.

In recent weeks, though, it is German Kai Havertz who has been the main man in form, scoring four goals in his last five outings.

Karim Benzema continues to be the main man for Real Madrid, with the Frenchman plundering nine goals in his last six games.

Last three matches

Chelsea 2-0 Real Madrid (Champions League semi-final, May 5, 2021)

Chelsea's most recent win over Real Madrid was a very valuable one, coming almost a year ago as they secured a spot in the Champions League final.

The Premier League side put in a ruthlessly efficient performance, taking the lead midway through the first half courtesy of Timo Werner.

As Madrid pushed for an equaliser, Chelsea picked them off with five minutes to go to allow Mason Mount to double their advantage and put the game to bed.

Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea (Champions League semi-final, April 27, 2021)

If the game at Stamford Bridge was the more memorable, many believe it was at the Bernabeu where the tie was actually won.

Chelsea grabbed an early lead when Christian Pulisic pounced in the 14th minute, although Benzema had Real Madrid level before the half hour.

Madrid pushed to try to gain an advantage to take to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea dug in and came away with an invaluable away score draw.

Real Madrid 0-1 Chelsea (UEFA Super Cup)

You have to go all the way back to 1998 to find the next most recent competitive meeting between these two sides, but once you get there you find a feast of nostalgia.

The Real Madrid line-up boasted names like Raul, Predrag Mijatovic, Clarence Seedorf and Roberto Carlos, while the Chelsea side had a spine of Marcel Desailly, Roberto Di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola.

Substitute Gus Poyet ended up winning it for Chelsea with just seven minutes remaining.

Managers' thoughts

Thomas Tuchel has called on his side to relish the challenge against one of the best teams in world football.

"We should be very aware that teams with this kind of quality, flair and experience can produce a special occasion," he said. "For us, it's also a special occasion and it's why we feel pretty excited.

"We want to prove a point to ourselves tomorrow. The occasion is special and the opponent is special. That is why we are excited."

Real Madrid may have to do without their manager Carlo Ancelotti for this one. The Italian did not travel with the Madrid squad to face his former club due to testing positive for Covid-19, but they are hopeful he can join them on the day of the game.

If he can't, coach Abian Perdomo, goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis, and Ancelotti's son Davide will take charge.

Predicted Chelsea vs Real Madrid teams

Chelsea pretty much have a full squad from which to choose, meaning Tuchel may go for the tried and trusted formula that got the best of Real Madrid last season.

That could mean a front three of Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

Madrid will be without the injured trio of Eden Hazard, Isco and Luka Jovic.

Former Chelsea winger Hazard underwent ankle surgery last month and will not be back for the second leg either.

Possible Chelsea starting line-up: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Havertz, Pulisic

Possible Real Madrid starting line-up: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Junior

Chelsea vs Real Madrid prediction

It's a very tough one to call, as much will depend upon how Chelsea react to their Brentford drubbing.

With Karim Benzema in the kind of form he is in though, Real Madrid will fancy their chances of coming away with something, so we'll go for a 2-2 draw.