Real Madrid vs. Arsenal: Preview, Predictions, Lineups, TV

Real Madrid and Arsenal are set to clash at the Santiago Bernabéu with a trip to the Champions League semifinals on the line.
Declan Rice (right) got the better of Vinícius Júnior (left) and Real Madrid in the first leg.
Declan Rice (right) got the better of Vinícius Júnior (left) and Real Madrid in the first leg. / IMAGO/News Images

Arsenal are headed to Spain up 3–0 on aggregate to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.

Real Madrid might be the defending European champions, but Arsenal completely got the better of the Spanish giants in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Two brilliant free kicks from Declan Rice led the way in the Gunners' 3–0 victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates.

One week later, the two clubs are set to clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. Carlo Ancelotti will be thrilled to have Dani Ceballos and Aurélien Tchouaméni back in his squad, but he still will need massive performances from his star-studded attack to mount a comeback against Arsenal.

The Gunners, meanwhile, are in firm control of the tie and must now just finish the job in Madrid. Standing between Arsenal and a trip to the semifinals, though, is the European magic of the Santiago Bernabéu.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the second leg between Real Madrid and Arsenal.


JOIN SI SOCCER'S REAL MADRID WHATSAPP COMMUNITY - GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE


What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Arsenal Kick-Off?

  • Location: Madrid, Spain
  • Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu
  • Date: Wednesday, Apr. 16
  • Kick-off Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 8:00 p.m. CET

Arsenal vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record

  • Arsenal: 2 wins
  • Real Madrid: 0 wins
  • Draws: 1

Last meeting: Arsenal 3–0 Real Madrid (Apr. 8, 2025), Champions League


Current Form (All Competitions)

Arsenal

Real Madrid

Arsenal 1–1 Brentford - 04/12/25

Alaves 0–1 Real Madrid - 04/13/25

Arsenal 3–0 Real Madrid - 04/08/25

Arsenal 3–0 Real Madrid - 04/08/25

Everton 1–1 Arsenal - 04/05/25

Real Madrid 1–2 Valencia - 04/05/25

Arsenal 2–1 Fulham - 04/01/25

Real Madrid 4–4 Real Sociedad - 04/01/25

Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea - 03/16/25

Real Madrid 3–2 Leganés - 03/29/25


How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Arsenal

Country

TV/Live Stream

USA

Paramount+

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate


Real Madrid Team News

Real Madrid's midfield is in for a huge boost with the return of Tchouaméni and Ceballos. The Frenchman is back from serving his one-game suspension from yellow card accumulation and Ceballos has fully recovered from injury. Ancelotti will be without Eduardo Camavinga, though, after the midfielder was sent off in the dying moments of the first leg.

Once again, Ancelotti's major decision comes down to his two fullbacks. Both Lucas Vázquez and Fran García are in contention to start, but the Spaniard will likely stick with Fede Valverde at right back and David Alaba at left back.

Ferland Mendy, Andriy Lunin, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined with various injuries.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Alaba; Tchouaméni, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé


Arsenal Team News

Alarm bells sounded at the weekend when both Thomas Partey and Jorginho suffered minor injuries in Arsenal's 1–1 draw against Brentford. Ben White also missed the clash after suffering a knock in training.

The good news for the Gunners is that both Partey and White returned to training and are set to travel to Madrid. Jorginho remains a doubt and will likely join the injured Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines.

Should Partey be fit enough to start, expect Mikel Arteta to deploy an unchanged side to the one that dominated Real Madrid in London.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli


Real Madrid vs. Arsenal Score Prediction

Real Madrid seem poised to bounce back from their defeat in the first leg, but it is hard to imagine Ancelotti's men scoring enough goals to advance to the semifinals. Arsenal have gone 78 matches without conceding more than two goals and Real Madrid have scored more than two goals just twice in their last 12 matches.

Los Blancos also have kept just one clean sheet in their previous 10 matches, leaving the door wide open for Arsenal to bury a goal that could be the final nail in the coffin for Real Madrid's Champions League title defense.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Arsenal


READ THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS, PREDICTIONS AND MORE

feed


Published
Amanda Langell
AMANDA LANGELL

Amanda Langell is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering the European game and international competitions.