Arsenal vs. Real Madrid: UCL Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

On Tuesday, in a massive continental match, Arsenal will host Real Madrid for the first leg of their quarterfinal at the Emirates Stadium. The continuously winning Champions League team will face the continuously losing European squad in this match.

In the round of 16, the Gunners pounded PSV Eindhoven with nine goals to advance to the last eight for the second year in a row, while the holders prevailed over bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Just weeks after Arsenal Women's 3-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta's men hope to match that result at the Emirates. Arteta, a former Barcelona youth player, led Arsenal back to the quarterfinals last year and guided them past PSV 7-1 on aggregate this season.

Despite that explosive first-leg win, Arsenal have scored just seven goals in their last five matches, hurting their Premier League hopes. Arteta's lineup against Everton—who drew 1-1 with Liverpool—suggests his focus is on maintaining Arsenal's strong European form, with seven clean sheets in ten unbeaten Champions League home games.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, has never played competitively in the Emirates. Their recent form is shaky, as they lost to Valencia and conceded four to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey. Still, Carlo Ancelotti's side edged past Atletico Madrid in the last 16, marking their seventh straight quarterfinal appearance. Madrid have won all 12 two-legged ties at this stage since 2003–04.

Though Real Madrid has a fearsome European record, Arsenal fans will remember Thierry Henry's iconic 2006 winner. The Gunners remain unbeaten in competitive games against Madrid, and Tuesday's clash could determine whether Arsenal end their season with silverware—or see Real Madrid claim their 112th Champions League victim.

Arsenal x Real Madrid Team News

Raheem Sterling and Riccardo Calafiori are suspended, while Arsenal will also be without long-term absentees Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Mikel Merino should be fit to start despite a head injury, joining Bukayo Saka in attack. Back from a hamstring issue, Saka is expected to start alongside Partey, Timber, Odegaard, and Martinelli.

Sterling's absence may not impact Arsenal much, but Real Madrid will miss Aurelien Tchouameni due to the accumulation of yellow cards. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the season, but Courtois, Mendy, and Ceballos could return from recent injuries.

With Courtois and Lunin sidelined by calf issues over the weekend, 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez started in goal. If Courtois fails a late test, Lunin will return tonight.

Lastly, a UEFA probe into celebrations against Atletico resulted in fines—but no bans—for Mbappe, Ceballos, Rudiger, and Vinicius Jr.

Our Predictions

Both teams to score @ 1.90 on Sky247.ng.

We might be in for an entertaining Champions League duel on Tuesday night in north London.  Real Madrid have undoubtedly garnered a reputation for their exciting results, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their previous eight matches across all competitions.  Both sides have scored in six of Ancelotti's team's past seven away games from the Bernabeu, including last weekend's nail-biting 2-1 defeat to Valencia at home.

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