Real Madrid vs Chelsea Predictions

Real Madrid vs Chelsea predictions for this friendly match. Chelsea and Real Madrid, seeking to correct recent friendly errors, clash in a glamour match at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Tuesday. Read on for all our predictions and betting tips.

Club Friendlies | Aug 7, 2024 at 12am UK Bank of America Stadium

Real Madrid vs Chelsea Predictions

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Can Chelsea Stand Firm Against Real Madrid’s Attacking Onslaught?

In a highly anticipated friendly, Chelsea and Real Madrid will lock horns at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Tuesday. Both teams will be eager to amend their recent pre-season shortcomings, with Chelsea conceding four goals to Manchester City and Real Madrid suffering a 2-1 defeat against their arch-rivals Barcelona.

Recent Form and Team Analysis

Chelsea

Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, has seen his team struggle in pre-season, with only one victory from four matches. Their most recent outing against Manchester City highlighted defensive frailties as they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat. The Blues were caught out multiple times trying to play from the back, with Erling Haaland taking advantage to net a hat-trick. Despite goals from Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke, Chelsea’s defensive errors were glaring.

The Blues have a mixed record in pre-season, drawing 2-2 with Wrexham, losing 4-1 to Celtic, and beating CF America 3-0. Maresca remains optimistic, noting progress in his team’s play despite the mistakes. With just two more fixtures before the Premier League opener, Chelsea are under pressure to fine-tune their strategies.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid's pre-season has been equally challenging. After a 1-0 loss to AC Milan, they were edged out 2-1 by Barcelona in a match where 22-year-old Pau Víctor stole the show. Despite Nico Paz’s header reducing the deficit, Los Blancos couldn’t avoid their second consecutive defeat. Their solitary pre-season victory came with a 3-0 win over Albacete.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side, weakened by the absence of several key players, are also looking to sharpen up before their Super Cup match against Atalanta. The fixture against Chelsea provides a final opportunity to test their squad.

Team News and Expected Lineups

Chelsea

Chelsea’s squad is bolstered by the arrivals of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo from their Copa America duties, while Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella are still on holiday post-Euro 2024. Nicolas Jackson and Axel Disasi remain sidelined due to injuries. This opens the door for Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu to vie for a starting spot in attack. Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Sterling, and Madueke are expected to freshen up the starting XI. Filip Jorgensen could make his first start in goal.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Badiashile, Colwill, Chilwell; Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling; Guiu.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid are also missing several players due to international commitments. Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kylian Mbappe, and Eduardo Camavinga were not involved in the Clasico. Federico Valverde is still on his Copa America break. However, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were both on the bench against Barcelona and could start alongside Endrick. Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois are expected to face their former club.

Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Garcia; Guler, Martin, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinicius Jr.

Match Analysis

Key Areas and Player Duels

The battle in midfield will be crucial, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos set to influence their respective sides. Both teams will look to dominate possession and control the tempo. Chelsea’s defensive line, led by Badiashile and Colwill, will need to be vigilant against Real Madrid’s dynamic front three of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Endrick.

Gameplay Expectations

Chelsea are likely to persist with their playing-out-from-the-back strategy, despite its risks. Maresca believes in building attacks from deep, but this approach has been fraught with errors. Real Madrid, under Ancelotti, are expected to adopt a more direct approach, utilising their speed on the flanks. The Spanish giants will likely target Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially given their recent lapses.

Tactical Strengths and Weaknesses

Chelsea

Chelsea’s strengths lie in their attacking depth and creativity. Players like Sterling and Nkunku provide flair and goal-scoring threats. However, their defensive organisation is a significant concern. The reliance on building from the back has exposed them to high pressing teams, leading to costly mistakes.

Maresca’s insistence on this strategy has drawn criticism. While the Italian manager’s philosophy promotes possession-based football, it’s clear that his team needs to refine their execution to avoid the kind of errors seen against Manchester City.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s attacking prowess is undeniable, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo capable of unlocking any defence. Their ability to switch play quickly and exploit spaces makes them dangerous on the counter. Defensively, however, Real Madrid have shown some vulnerability, conceding in both of their recent friendlies.

Ancelotti’s experience and tactical acumen are strengths, but his side’s defensive lapses and over-reliance on individual brilliance can sometimes undermine their collective effort. The absence of key players due to international commitments also leaves gaps that could be exploited by a well-prepared opposition.

Expected Goals and Betting Angles

Analysing the expected goals (xG) metrics, both teams have shown a tendency to score and concede in pre-season. Chelsea’s attacking lineup has averaged two goals per game, while Real Madrid have found the net at a similar rate but also shown defensive frailties.

For betting angles, the trend of both teams scoring in their matches stands out. Chelsea’s defensive errors and Real Madrid’s attacking quality suggest a high-scoring game.

Predictions

Best Bet: Real Madrid to Win and Both Teams to Score

Given the attacking prowess of both sides and their defensive vulnerabilities, the best bet for this match is Real Madrid to win with both teams finding the net. Chelsea’s issues at the back, combined with Real Madrid’s ability to exploit defensive lapses, make this a likely outcome. Additionally, with both teams showcasing their scoring abilities in pre-season, goals from both sides are anticipated.

Correct Score Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Chelsea

Following from the best bet, the correct score prediction aligns with Real Madrid securing a 3-1 victory. Chelsea’s defence has been porous, as seen against Manchester City, and Real Madrid have the firepower to capitalise. This scoreline reflects both teams’ trends in scoring and conceding.

Goalscorer Prediction: Vinicius Junior to Score

Vinicius Junior, given his form and the fact he will likely start, is a strong candidate to score. His speed and dribbling ability pose a significant threat to Chelsea’s shaky defence. With his knack for finding the back of the net in crucial moments, Vinicius is a smart pick to get on the scoresheet.

Corner Prediction: Real Madrid to Win More Corners

Real Madrid are expected to dominate the attacking play, which should result in more corners. With their aggressive approach, particularly down the wings, they are likely to force several corners. Expect the total corners in the game to exceed ten, with Real Madrid taking the majority.

Innovative Market: Total Shots on Target by Real Madrid

Given Real Madrid’s attacking intent, another interesting market is the total shots on target by Los Blancos. With Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Endrick leading the attack, Real Madrid are expected to test Chelsea’s goalkeeper frequently. A total of over six shots on target for Real Madrid seems plausible.

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