Chelsea and Real Madrid will renew hostilities yet again at Stamford Bridge as the two European giants battle it out for a spot in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League as they meet for the second leg fixtures of the quarters. Strikes from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio ensured the Los Blancos outpowered the Blues last time. The underperforming Chelsea went ahead to be outplayed by Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's Premier League clash even conceding 70% possession at one point in the game. A 2-1 scoreline flattered the Blues as interim coach Frank Lampard admitted that his side was lucky not to lose the game by more goals. 

The Blues are now winless in three successive matches since the 3-1 victory over Leicester under Graham Potter. However, Gallagher's fortunate strike against Brighton at least managed to end a four-game streak without a goal for Chelsea. The team did reverse a first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund to advance to this stage of the Champions League competition. The West London giants have now advanced from five of their last seven Champions League ties in which they have lost the first leg away from home. However, they have failed to win any of their last four Stamford Bridge games since seeing off Dortmund. Unless Lampard's side can find their best shooting boots, recent historical omens will not do them any favour.

A return to winning ways in the Spanish La Liga allowed Real Madrid to cut the gap between them and league leaders Barcelona down to 10 points. They have, however, prioritized continental glory as the season approaches its homestretch. From their 19 Champions League knockout ties in which they have won the first leg by at least two clear goals, the Los Blancos have progressed from 18 of them only not being successful to eventual runners-up Monaco during the 2003-2004 season, and even then they were knocked out courtesy of a 5-5 aggregate total at a time when the now abolished away goals rule was still effective. 

Real Madrid's visit to Stamford Bridge a year ago saw them emerge out of the fixture with a 3-1 victory a sixth successive Champions League knockout win would also see Real Madrid set a new continental record, something that has become synonymous with the 14 times European champions by now. It is worth noting, however, that the UEFA Champions League is not short of any impossible comebacks as over the years football fans have been treated to a number of them and a team can only say they have safely sailed to the next phase of the competition after the final blow of the referees whistle at the end of the second leg fixture. 

(Image: Goal.com)