Two of Europe`s football powerhouses, Arsenal and Real Madrid, are set to face off in a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg. The match will take place on Tuesday at Arsenal`s home ground.
Real Madrid, the current Champions League title holders, reached this stage after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against their local rivals, Atletico Madrid, following a 2-2 draw on aggregate. Arsenal, on the other hand, secured their quarterfinal spot with a dominant 9-3 aggregate win over PSV in the previous round. This sets the stage for a captivating two-legged encounter between these football giants.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at the Emirates Stadium in London. Arsenal are currently favored to win at +105 odds, while Real Madrid are considered the underdogs at +260. The odds for a draw are also at +260. The expected total goals for the match are set at over/under 2.5.
Expert Prediction
Football expert Jon Eimer has shared his insights and predictions for this high-stakes match.
Both Teams to Score: Yes (-105)
Eimer predicts that both Real Madrid and Arsenal are likely to score in this match. Both teams possess formidable attacking forces capable of finding the net. Real Madrid has demonstrated strong offensive form, scoring two or more goals in five of their last seven games across all competitions, spearheaded by their star forward Kylian Mbappe, who has an impressive record of 22 goals in 28 La Liga matches. Arsenal`s attacking prowess is also evident, having scored nine goals in the Round of 16 and a total of 14 goals in their last six matches across all competitions.
Eimer notes, “I`m anticipating goals in this game due to defensive vulnerabilities and morale issues within both squads.”
Over 2.5 goals (+110)
Another prediction is that the match will see more than 2.5 goals. High-scoring games have been a trend for Real Madrid recently, with over 2.5 goals in seven of their last eight matches across all competitions. Arsenal`s Champions League fixtures also tend to be goal-filled, with each of their last six UCL matches having at least three goals. Real Madrid has conceded in eight consecutive matches, and over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of their last seven Champions League games.
Real Madrid Draw No Bet (+110)
Eimer suggests considering “Real Madrid Draw No Bet” at +110 odds. Real Madrid`s impressive Champions League history, with 15 titles – significantly more than any other club – makes them a formidable opponent. Furthermore, Arsenal is currently facing a number of key injuries, which could be a disadvantage against a team boasting world-class players like Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr.
Eimer highlights Arsenal`s injury concerns, stating, “Arsenal will be without some of their key attacking players, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, and important defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, and Gabriel Magalhaes are also expected to miss the game.”
Adrian Whitmore