Michael Owen has made his prediction for ’s upcoming clash with , backing ’s side to take a big step to reaching the semi-finals with another victory over the La Liga giants.
Chelsea but were nevertheless handed a tough route to the last-four after being pitted against 13-time winners Real Madrid.
Tuchel’s side – they then – but Madrid look set to provide a tougher examination this season.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid have stormed 12 points clear at the top of La Liga and .
Nevertheless, former England striker Owen expects Chelsea to beat Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night as the Blues look to move one step closer to retaining the Champions League trophy.
Chelsea have endured a mixed season under Tuchel, initially threatening to mount a Premier League title challenge but falling away over the festive period and , raising some doubt over the security of their top-four place.
‘This is a really interesting tie, particularly with these two having met in last year’s semi-final,’ Owen told .
‘Chelsea won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in that tie, but it could have been four or five. Real looked slow and leggy in that tie, and I don’t see huge improvement in them.
‘[Karim] Benzema and Vinicius [Junior] have been brilliant this season and they will be a threat. I’m going for a Chelsea win though, 3-1.’
Also in action in the Champions League on Wednesday night are German giants Bayern Munich and Spanish underdogs Villarreal.
Unai Emery’s Villarreal booked a quarter-final meeting with the Bundesliga champions after knocking out Juventus in the last round, while Bayern thrashed RB Salzburg.
‘Villarreal have done brilliantly to make it this far,’ Owen added. ‘They completely deserved the win over Juventus in the last round.
‘Emery is renowned for his nous in European competitions, and I would never write his side off. Bayern struggled away from home in the last round against Salzburg, and I can see another draw here. I’m going for 1-1.’
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