Champions League: Can Lampard Lead Chelsea Comeback Against Real?

Chelsea vs Real Madrid

Reigning champions Real Madrid are 90 minutes away from returning to the Champions League semi-finals.

The Spanish giants have a 2-0 advantage over Chelsea as they head to Stamford Bridge for the second leg, with the in-form duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr ready to finish the job.

The Blues have lost all three games thus far with Frank Lampard back in charge, and the Champions League 2023 betting odds will be heavily stacked against them against Madrid.

Talking Points

Chelsea’s struggles continue under Lampard

Chelsea’s disastrous winless run is now up to six games as they’ve lost each of their first three games with interim coach Frank Lampard.

After away defeats at Wolves and Real Madrid, Lampard’s side lost 2-1 at home against Brighton over the weekend.

The Blues were absolutely battered by the Seagulls as they surrendered a whopping 26 shots, 10 of which were on target. Meanwhile, they could only muster six shots, two of which were on target.

Lampard was without starting centre-forward Kai Havertz due to a knee injury, so he started Raheem Sterling up front, with Christian Pulisic, Conor Gallagher, and Mikhailo Mudryk in support.

It remains to be seen whether Havertz will be fit in time to face Real. If he misses out, it will be another big blow to a Blues attack that will already be missing wing-back Ben Chilwell due to suspension after he got a red card in the first leg.

Lampard remains unable to solve Chelsea’s big problem, which is to score goals.  Gallagher’s goal against Brighton finally broke a streak of four straight games without scoring for Chelsea.

Moreover, Chelsea’s home form has been a major concern. They have not won any of their last four games at Stamford Bridge, with two draws and two defeats.

Benzema-Vini combo firing on all cylinders again

Real Madrid’s hopes of successfully defending their title are looking good. Los Blancos have a 2-0 lead to protect as they head to London for the second leg against Chelsea.

Real produced plenty of Champions League 2023 highlights in that match as they dominated 57 per cent of possession and created 18 shots, 10 of which were on target.

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr were both excellent as they continued their brilliant form of late. Benzema has scored eight goals in his last seven games. Meanwhile, Vini has three goals and four assists in his last seven.

And as if the Benzema-Vini Jr combo wasn’t dangerous enough, Marco Asensio is suddenly showing an improvement in form. The Spanish international has scored in each of his last two games and may have earned a starting spot for the second leg.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was able to rest the likes of Vini, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba in their 2-0 win against Cadiz, but they are all expected to return to the starting XI at Stamford Bridge.

Aurelien Tchouameni surprisingly didn’t start the first leg in Madrid, but with Real only needing to protect their two-goal lead, the French international may get the nod over Toni Kroos at the heart of Real’s midfield.

History

This will be the sixth meeting between Chelsea and Real Madrid in the Champions League. The two sides are now level at two wins apiece after Real’s first-leg win, with one draw.

Chelsea usually have a stellar home record in the Champions League. Over the last two seasons, they’ve won seven of their nine games at Stamford Bridge. However, the one team who did beat them at home was Real Madrid back in 2022.

Moreover, history is not on the Blues’ side as Real Madrid have gone through in 18 of the 19 Champions League ties where they won the first leg by two or more goals.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Real Madrid installed as 2.30 favourites to move on to the semi-finals with a win at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are priced at 2.70, while a draw is 3.40.

Given Chelsea’s continuing struggles under Frank Lampard, Real Madrid seem to be a pretty safe bet to pick up another win. Benzema and Vini have been in impressive form, and Chelsea have simply not shown they have an capable counters to that one-two punch.

 

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