Champions League: Real Madrid vs Arsenal - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Real Madrid host Arsenal for the first time in 19 years this Thursday morning. Los Blancos face an uphill challenge in this match as they must beat the Premier League outfit by at least four goals to keep their Champions League campaign alive. 

Last week, Madrid was left shell-shocked as the Gunners crushed them 3-0 at the Emirates with a pair of amazing Declan Rice free-kicks. To qualify for the semi-finals, Carlo Ancelotti's team will have to recover from their loss and outscore Arsenal over two legs. Read on for our football betting tips on this clash.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid suffered two damaging defeats in recent weeks that have derailed their pursuit for glory in Spain and Europe. After losing to Valencia at home in La Liga, they suffered a thrashing in London against Arsenal.

The defending European champions are now playing catch up to their arch-rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race with seven more weeks to go. Hopes of defending their Champions League title are also fading, but they will look to test Arsenal’s resolve at a packed Bernabeu. 

Team News: Dani Ceballos should be back in the squad, but defensive stalwarts Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao will watch on from the sidelines again. 

Predicted Lineup: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Tchouameni, F Garcia; Ceballos, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is likely to settle for a second-place finish in the Premier League for the third consecutive season. However, the Spaniard still has the chance to make this a historic campaign by leading Arsenal to their first-ever Champions League title.

The North Londoners outplayed the reigning European champions at home, defying odds from betting sites NZ, before falling to a midweek 1-1 draw at home against Brentford. A renewed sense of belief will drive Arsenal as they aim to recreate the iconic 2006 night when they beat Real Madrid 1-0 in Madrid.

Team News: Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino should get back to the starting XI. Ben White is expected to undergo a late fitness assessment before Arsenal leaves London. 

Predicted Lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis Skelley; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Merino, Martinelli 

• Real Madrid have never beaten Arsenal in a competitive fixture. They have met each other three times
• Arsenal are yet to concede a goal against Real Madrid. They have a 4-0 aggregate score in their favour across three matches
• Arsenal won in their only previous away trip to Madrid

Arsenal have been a remarkable defensive unit under Arteta. They have not conceded three goals in a match since December, 2023, so they will be flying to Madrid with confidence.

Interestingly, it was Luton Town, who are now relegated to the Championship, who put three goals past the Gunners last. Arsenal did win that game by 4-3, regardless. 

Real Madrid have historically struggled against Arsenal, so football betting sites are not expecting the record European champions to have an easy time against Arteta’s side at home.

They have no chance but to commit men forward and we have seen how dangerous Arsenal can be during transitions. Madrid have shown defensive vulnerabilities, and they may be punished for those frailties once again in the return leg. We believe Arsenal will beat Madrid in a high-scoring affair. 

Arsenal to Win 3-2 - $34 

We expect Arsenal to hit Real Madrid on the counter. Real Madrid should find the back of the net, but the quality Arsenal have on their wings is undeniable. Combine that with Madrid’s defensive struggles, and it could result in a high-scoring encounter that swings in Arsenal’s favour.

PlayUp is offering a 34x return on a 3-2 scoreline for Arsenal and we believe there’s a solid chance this could be the final score.