Arsenal vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Arsenal have more or less, and forgivably so, given up on the Premier League title race as they now search for European glory with a quarter-final tie against the European champions.
Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 8th April, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Paramount+
Arsenal Preview: Focus on Europe
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal come into this one on the back of another frustrating result at the weekend as the Gunners shared a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park in a game in which the Toffees equalised late-ish in the second-half due to a controversial penalty.
The Gunners now sit 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool domestically but the return of Bukayo Saka to the Arsenal squad will give them a belief they can take the game to a Real Madrid side that are in unconvincing and underwhelming form at the moment.
Real Madrid Preview: Issues in Madrid
That fairly average campaign in terms of performance level continued at the weekend for Real Madrid as Los Blancos suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia at the weekend to now mean they sit four points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga.
Somehow, though, Madrid do still just about remain in contention for the treble after they squeezed through to the final of the Copa del Rey last week after a 4-3 defeat at home to Real Sociedad before Antonio Rudiger sent them through with a 115th minute strike in extra-time.
Arsenal Team News: The return of Saka
Arsenal have been able to welcome back Bukayo Saka into their squad of late and he is expected to start in the Gunners' front three alongside Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli. Key centre-back Gabriel is out with a hamstring injury alongside other key men such as Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
Unavailable: Gabriel (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Calafiori (Injured), Havertz (Injured), Sterling (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Madrid Team News: Tchouameni suspended
Real Madrid will be without France international midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as he is missing through suspension for this one. They also have some key injury issues such as Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal in defence. Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fully fit which is even more crucial due to doubts over Andriy Lunin.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Modric, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe
Unavailable: Militao (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Tchouameni (Suspended), Ceballos (Injured)
Questionable: Lunin (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
Arsenal vs Real Madrid Prediction
Arsenal, as mentioned, will seek to once again rinse out everything they can from Bukayo Saka and his ability to torment defenders both on the inside and the outside will give the Gunners a chance against a Los Blancos side lacking clarity and cohesion. They appear a little disjointed and confused in attack but they do come up against an Arsenal side that have some key defensive issues, such as the injury to Gabriel. Both teams scoring may well be a good bet for a first-leg between two flawed sides.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid Tip: Both teams to score
