Santiago Bernabéu Will Host a Spectacular Match Between Real Madrid and Arsenal

Home Comforts & Historic Challenges

Real Madrid have been dominant at home this season, racking up 18 wins at the Bernabéu across all competitions—six of them by a margin of three or more goals. Notably, in this Champions League campaign alone, they’ve dismantled Borussia Dortmund 5-2 and Salzburg 5-1 on home turf.

However, recent form offers mixed signals. Their most recent home outing was a shock 1-2 defeat to Valencia in La Liga. Before that, they were unbeaten in eight (seven wins and a draw).

Historically, Real Madrid have found it difficult to overturn large deficits in Europe. According to Opta, they’ve lost the first leg of a UCL knockout tie by 3+ goals on four occasions and have only managed to turn it around once—against Derby County in 1975/76. That famous 5-1 home win overturned a 1-4 first-leg loss. In fact, Real have beaten English opposition by 3+ goals at home just twice in 53 previous encounters: against Derby and against Tottenham (4-0 in 2010/11).

Mbappé is available, as his red card in La Liga doesn’t carry over into Europe. However, Real will miss several key players: Camavinga (suspended), Militao, Carvajal, Mendy, and Lunin (injuries). On a positive note, Tchouaméni returns after serving his UCL suspension.

Arsenal Looking to Finish the Job

Despite their first-leg triumph, Arsenal aren’t taking anything for granted. Mikel Arteta’s side knows the danger Real pose at the Bernabéu, especially with their backs against the wall. The Gunners stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Brentford over the weekend, a result that might raise slight concern ahead of the trip to Madrid.

Arsenal have only lost four times across all competitions this season—and never by more than two goals. Their only away defeat in this UCL campaign was a narrow 0-1 loss to Inter. The last time they suffered a heavy defeat on the road in the Champions League was in 2017 (1-5 vs Bayern), coincidentally under the management of Carlo Ancelotti—now in charge at Real Madrid.

Crucially, Arsenal have never been eliminated from a European tie after winning the first leg by 3+ goals. A win in Madrid would also equal their all-time record of four consecutive away victories in the Champions League—a record set in 2006, the same season they reached the final.

Team News – Arsenal

Arteta will be without Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhães, Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Jorginho, Ben White, and Thomas Partey remain doubtful.

Real Madrid and Arsenal – Head-to-Head History

Arsenal are unbeaten against Real Madrid in Champions League history and have yet to concede a goal in the matchup: two wins (1-0, 3-0) and one draw (0-0). In their only previous visit to the Bernabéu, Arsenal won 1-0 in 2006.

Betting Tips & Predictions for Match Between Real Madrid and Arsenal

Match Result:

• Real Madrid to Win – Odds should be decent considering the pressure and home form, though the overall tie remains tough.
• Real Madrid -1 Handicap – If you expect a fightback without full qualification.

Goals Market:

• Over 2.5 Total Goals – Both teams are capable of scoring, and Madrid will go all out from the start.
• Both Teams to Score – YES – Arsenal will look to hit on the counter, and Madrid will attack relentlessly.
• Correct Score Prediction: 3-1 Real Madrid (Arsenal to qualify on aggregate)

Specials:

• Mbappé Anytime Scorer – A likely threat in a must-win situation.
• Odegaard Assist or Goal – The former Madrid man may have extra motivation.