Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Arsenal know they don’t have a shot at winning the 2024-25 Premier League, so they’re going to direct all their focus into the UEFA Champions League, where they’ll take on perennial contenders and European heavyweights in Real Madrid. The Gunners didn’t have their best match before this tournament, though, as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Everton this past weekend.

Somehow, though, Real Madrid had an even worse weekend and suffered a 2-1 loss to Valencia, a result that complicates their LaLiga title chances considerably. Their situation is far better than Arsenal’s, though, and Los Merengues still depend on themselves to claim the league title. Either way, they’re going to focus on this matchup first, as winning another UCL title seems to be the biggest priority for manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Can Arsenal Take Advantage Of Playing At Home?

The Gunners are playing in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the second consecutive season and eighth time in club history, but they’ve struggled to get past this around in the past and have won just two of those eight ties. That’s why winning the first leg at home is of the utmost priority for them, as they need to have some sort of cushion before playing the second leg at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu next week.

However, one area in which Arsenal can rely on is their home form, particularly when it comes to the European stage. Since returning to the UEFA Champions League last season, Arsenal have played 10 matches at home and have yet to taste defeat (W8, D2). Plus, they’ve also won five of their last seven matches against Spanish teams (D1, L1), something that should boost their confidence even further for this match.

Arsenal Injury & Suspension News

The Gunners will be without several players due to injury. The latest casualty is star centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. Kai Havertz (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Riccardo Calafiori (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are also out, while Raheem Sterling is suspended.

Los Merengues Facing Another English Test

Real Madrid are known for their UCL heroics, and they already know what it means to get past English opponents this season after eliminating none other than Manchester City in the playoff round before the Round of 16 by a 6-3 aggregate score. This will be Real Madrid’s 23rd match against an English opponent since the start of the 2017/18 season and have won exactly 50 percent of those contests (W12, D5, L6).

Truth be told, Real Madrid are at their best when it comes to playing in Europe, and regardless of their form, they’re extremely hard to defeat in the decisive stages of this competition. Los Merengues have progressed in their last 12 quarterfinal ties in the Champions League, but it’s worth noting they lost to Arsenal in the most recent H2H in the UCL, losing by a 1-0 aggregate score in the 2005/06 campaign.

Real Madrid Injury & Suspension News

Real Madrid are sweating on the fitness of Thibaut Courtois (undisclosed), but the star goalkeeper is expected to be available Tuesday. Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended, while none of the other injured players are expected back. The list includes Eder Militao (knee), Dani Carvajal (knee), Dani Ceballos (muscular injury) and Ferland Mendy (hamstring).

Arsenal vs Real Madrid Prediction

Neither side comes into this game playing at their best, though this will not be a cagey affair by any means. Real Madrid will aim to secure a positive result away from home, and defending is not in their DNA, so expect them to play with an attacking mindset. At the same time, Arsenal need some sort of advantage heading into the second leg at Santiago Bernabéu. On that front, I’d expect to see both teams scoring in this match. That has been the outcome in five of Arsenal’s last six games in all competitions, and is seven of Real Madrid’s previous eight contests.

CryptoGamba tip: Both teams to score – 1.90 @Stake.