Real Madrid will host Arsenal in the second leg of their 2025 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash on Wednesday. Both teams hold second positions in their respective domestic leagues. Arsenal surprised the 15-time European champions by taking a 3-0 lead in London and aims to maintain this advantage to reach their first Champions League semifinal since 2009. Real Madrid, the current Champions League titleholders, will rely on the attacking prowess of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo to reduce the deficit.
The kickoff at Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Real Madrid is favored with odds of -125 for a 90-minute victory, while Arsenal is the underdog at +310. A draw is priced at +295, and the over/under for total goals is set at 2.5.
Expert Picks for Real Madrid vs. Arsenal
Before making any picks for Arsenal vs. Real Madrid, consider the insights of proven SportsLine soccer expert Martin Green. Here are Green`s Champions League picks and predictions for Wednesday`s match:
Arsenal +0.75 at (+100)
Betting on the Asian handicap Arsenal +0.75 implies splitting your bet between Arsenal +0.5 and Arsenal +1. This means you win if Arsenal wins or draws, and lose half your bet if Arsenal loses by one goal. Arsenal is in a strong position to focus on defense and secure advancement in their first Champions League season since 2017.
`They can afford a draw or a one-goal loss, making them unlikely to take significant risks. While they might not dominate corners, Arsenal`s counter-attack, spearheaded by Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, makes them capable of achieving a result in Madrid,` Green stated.
Real Madrid to score under 1.5 goals (+150)
`Arsenal boasts the best defensive record in the Premier League and the second-best in this Champions League season, conceding only 0.77 goals per game on average. This makes it challenging for Real Madrid`s attack to turn the tie around,` Green commented.
Under 11.5 corners (-142)
The number of corners will likely depend on possession distribution. Arsenal may not need to take excessive risks, while Real Madrid will likely press forward. Green predicts Arsenal will be well-prepared by Mikel Arteta to solidify their three-goal lead, leading to a prediction of under 11.5 corners in the match.
