Real Madrid vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Odds & Predictions – 04/16/2025

After a humbling 3-0 defeat in North London last week, Real Madrid returns to Santiago Bernabeu to face Arsenal in the second leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

These two clubs have rarely met at this stage of the competition, having last met in the 2005-06 UCL Round of 16 clash where Arsene Wenger’s men knocked out Los Blancos, and Arsenal could once again knock Real Madrid out of the competition with a 3-goal deficit hanging over Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Learn more about the odds, team news, picks, and predictions for the thrilling second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Arsenal:

Where to watch Real Madrid vs Arsenal

Here is when and where to watch the clash between Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Date: 04/16

Time: 3 pm ET

Location: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Where to watch: The match can be watched on Paramount+ in the USA

Real Madrid vs Arsenal Preview

After a scoreless first half in the first leg, Declan Rice decided to take things into his own hands by curling a free-kick into the back of the net, followed by a rocket-esque shot that found the top right corner, giving the Gunners a 2-0 lead at home. Mikel Merino also stepped up to the plate and delivered the goods as Mikel Arteta’s men took a 3-0 lead and would be hoping to play in the UCL semi-final, Arsenal’s first since the 2008-09 season.

Real Madrid

Los Blancos have thrown away chances of lifting a trophy multiple times this season as they were overthrown at the top of La Liga by Barcelona after a torrid start to the calendar year. Now, with the hopes of retaining the Champions League trophy also fading away slowly, Ancelotti’s men would have one eye on the Copa del Rey final later in April.

Eduardo Camavinga picked up two yellow cards in the first leg and was sent off by the referee, making the French midfielder unavailable for the second leg in Madrid. Aurelien Tchouameni missed the first leg due to suspension but would be available for the home leg and the central midfielder is expected to slot straight into midfield in the absence of Camavinga. The quartet of Ferland Mendy, Andriy Lunin, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal would also miss out on a starting XI spot due to their respective injuries.

Predicted Starting XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe

Arsenal

Like Real Madrid, Mikel Arteta’s men have proven to be second-best in the title race, with Liverpool almost guaranteed to win the league trophy after opening up a 13-point gap at the top with only six matches left for both sides. Thus, Arteta’s men can now solely focus on getting the best out of themselves on the European stage with a potential re-match against Barcelona in the Champions League final on the cards.

For the Gunners, there are several unavailable players as Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ricardo Calafiori are recuperating from their respective injuries. Ben White missed the draw against Brentford on the weekend, and the right-back remains a doubt for the second leg alongside Thomas Partey and Jorginho, both of whom picked up knocks in the same match.

Predicted Starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli

Real Madrid vs Arsenal Under/Over Predictions

The Playoffs aim to facilitate the safest bets for the game. Have a look at the predictions for the game below.

Total goals Over 2.5 @ -186 (MGM Bet): With a 3-goal deficit staring the hosts in the face, a lot of goals need to be scored to overturn the deficit while keeping things tight at the back as well. On the other hand, Arteta would know that an early goal could kill off the tie despite the presence of Real Madrid supporters on Wednesday.

Real Madrid vs Arsenal Player Picks

Vinicius Jr. (To Score a Goal @ +165 as per MGM Bet): The Brazilian forward has been crucial for Real Madrid in the last couple of seasons, especially during the knockout matches and the winger would once again be expected to be at his best if Los Blancos want to turn around the tie in their favor.

The 24-year old has netted 7 goals and provided 3 assists in 11 matches in the ongoing Champions League campaign and Ancelotti would be hoping that Vinicius adds to his tally on Wednesday if the Madrid-based club wants to progress to the next stage in Europe’s elite club competition.

Real Madrid vs Arsenal Prediction

Real Madrid has conceded a 3+ goal lead on five occasions in the knockout stages of the Champions League/European Cup, and only once have they overturned the deficit, back in 1976 against Derby County. Ancelotti would be hoping that his magic works yet again against an English team but Arteta would be wary of the threats posed by the Los Blancos’ attacking players.

Our Final Prediction: Arsenal will go through to the semi-final to face either Paris St. Germain or Aston Villa, and it would be interesting to see the battle of two Spanish managers in the semi-final.

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Mohak Arora

A stand-up comedian and a sports journalist with speciality in writing prediction pieces and features on football, cricket, and badminton. Over the last few years, I have contributed pieces to iGaming giants like Parimatch, 1X News, and Melbet.