'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea will fancy their chances against Real Madrid after securing a valuable away goal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie last week.
It's a familiar hunting ground for Real Madrid, who have been the most dominant side in Europe's elite competition over the past decade. But Chelsea have proved to be a tough nut to crack ever since Thomas Tuchel took over as the manager in late January.
The Blues took an early lead through Christian Pulisic when the two sides locked horns last week. Real Madrid were able to pull one back thanks to a brilliant strike from Karim Benzema. But Zinedine Zidane's men face the tough test of beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Tuchel's men have hardly stumbled.
Real Madrid have quite a few injury concerns but have been boosted by the return of Sergio Ramos, Fede Valverde and Ferland Mendy. Chelsea have a couple of injury issues of their own but Thomas Tuchel will undoubtedly name his strongest XI in what is arguably their biggest match of the season so far.
Let's take a look at how Chelsea could line up against Real Madrid tonight.
Chelsea's predicted XI vs Real Madrid
Chelsea Goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy has been a reliable presence in goal for Chelsea. The 29-year-old has proved to be an upgrade on the erratic Kepa Arrizabalaga. Mendy has kept seven cleansheets in 10 Champions League appearances this season and has been a commanding presence in his area.
He was in great form against Fulham this past Saturday, tipping a great Callum Robinson shot over the bar before denying Ademola Lookman later on. His most impressive save of the match came against an Ola Aina shot that took a big deflection on its way to goal.
Mendy has looked much more settled under Thomas Tuchel than he did under Frank Lampard and should keep his place in the side for the second leg.
Chelsea defenders
Antonio Rudiger suffered a facial injury in the first leg against Real Madrid. However, he will feature tonight and will wear a protective mask as he takes up the role of left centre-back in Thomas Tuchel's three-man defense.
The reliable and experienced Thiago Silva will once again be at the heart of the Chelsea defense. Thiago Silva has been a stalwart at the back and has been crucial to Chelsea shutting out their opposition in four of their last five matches.
Andreas Christensen is expected to keep his place on the right side of Thiago Silva as the trio gradually grow in reputation as one of the most solid backlines in Europe.
Chelsea midfielders
The Chelsea midfielders did not allow a moment's peace to the experienced and extremely talented Real Madrid duo of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the first leg.
The likes of N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount hounded them throughout the night and it went a long way towards stifling Real Madrid's threat as their midfielders are pivotal to their forays into the final third.
As such, Thomas Tuchel is expected to go with Jorginho playing as the deep-lying playmaker. Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante will once again operate in front of him with Mateo Kovacic ruled out. Mount will be playing a more attacking role.
Kante was arguably Chelsea's best player in the first leg. He was everywhere, making tackles and interceptions and doing everything he could to keep the Real Madrid attackers at bay. The Frenchman also provided a lot of support whenever Chelsea ventured forward and his energy will be crucial tonight against the well-rested Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
In addition to Kante, Mount also let his presence known with his incredible work-rate throughout the game.
On the flanks, Tuchel is expected to go with Cesar Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea forwards
Kai Havertz came off the bench in the first-leg against Real Madrid. However, he has made a strong claim for a starting berth in the second leg after bagging a brace against Fulham on Saturday.
Tuchel has said that he is still assessing his options and will make a late call as he is usually does. He said:
“I will wait until tomorrow and make my decisions very late like I usually do. I have my ideas in my mind, but I have been too long in the business to know that anything can happen in the last training sessions and I can change my mind.
“I need another sleep and tomorrow I will decide on the line-up. I will give it to my team first this is the way it is. I want to be sure we play a good match with the line-up we have, a strong performance.”
But we expect him to go with Christian Pulisic after he produced an impressive performance and got Chelsea their all-important away goal in the first leg. Timo Werner was guilty of missing a great chance to extend Chelsea's lead and the German international has misfired far too often in recent times.
But Tuchel has openly backed his striker and is likely to stick with him as he offers a lot of threat on the counter.
