rewrite this title Arsenal vs Real Madrid: Preview, predictions and lineups

Arsenal host the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against 15-time winners Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

The Gunners have impressed in Europe up to this point, finishing third in the league phase table before thumping PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in the round of 16. On the contrary, Madrid had to endure a play-off with Manchester City to make it into the last 16, where they edged crosstown rivals Atleti in a controversial penalty shootout.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been far from imperious this term despite the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, but their most efficient work tends to manifest on these sorts of occasions.

The visitors head into the first leg, and their first trip to the Emirates Stadium, off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday. Barcelona now boast a four-point lead at the top. Arsenal, meanwhile, drew at Everton, but Liverpool’s defeat to Fulham meant the Reds failed to build on their 11-point advantage at the summit.

Here is 90min’s guide to Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid head-to-head record (all games)

Current form (all competitions)

Jakub Kiwior’s performance at Goodison Park likely would’ve convinced Arteta that he should be the man to partner William Saliba at centre-back on Tuesday night. Gabriel sustained a hamstring injury last week, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Jurrien Timber should replace Ben White at right-back, while Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli are all expected to make returns to the starting XI. Bukayo Saka is also poised for his first start since recovering from a hamstring tear.

There are no changes on the injury front, with the hosts without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

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

The visitors have received a timely boost for the first leg. Thibaut Courtois is slated for a return to the starting XI having missed Madrid’s previous three outings due to a thigh injury. Ancelotti turned to third-choice goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez at the weekend due to Andriy Lunin’s setback.

Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are not yet ready to make their respective returns, and reports from Spain suggest we could see David Alaba start at left-back in the latter’s absence.

Aurelien Tchouameni’s suspension means we could see Luka Modric partner Eduardo Camavinga in midfield.

Superstars Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe will all be included in Ancelotti’s XI.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.

Arsenal claimed victory at the Bernabeu 19 years ago, but victory on home soil is key to their quarter-final hopes against the holders. They won’t want to visit the Spanish capital with a deficit to make up.

Saka’s return is huge for their chances against a Madrid team that will surrender chances, although Courtois’ recovery from injury means the Gunners will have to work incredibly hard for their goals.

The Emirates will be rocking for the visit of Madrid’s superstars, and Arsenal have the foundations in place to limit their visitors in transition. However, they’re going to miss Gabriel at the heart of their defence, and Ancelotti’s side will leap upon the only chink in this Gunners outfit’s armour.

Neither side should be able to contain the other on Tuesday in an entertaining draw.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Real Madrid

READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & RATINGS HERE