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Rio Ferdinand has now predicted who will qualify for the Champions League semi-finals – Real Madrid or Arsenal

Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals as they head into the second leg of the quarter-final with a 3-0 lead over Real Madrid.

However, Antonio Rudiger believes Real Madrid could beat Arsenal as he was heard telling Los Blancos’ supporters after his side’s latest 1-0 victory against Alaves.

But Arsenal are unlikely to be too concerned as the message within the dressing room will be to focus on themselves and what they must to do to conquer the European champions on Wednesday.

Rio Ferdinand predicted Real Madrid to defeat Arsenal a few days ago but he must have been stunned after witnessing the Gunners maul the Spanish giants on Tuesday.

Rio Ferdinand has now given his two cents on whether he still backs Real Madrid to qualify to the next round of the Champions League by pulling off a fightback for the ages against Arsenal.

Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand predicts Arsenal to qualify to Champions League semi-finals after Real Madrid clash

Despite playing in an era where his former club Manchester United and Arsenal shared a bitter rivalry, Rio Ferdinand has predicted the North Londoners to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals after they face Real Madrid.

Rio Ferdinand pinpointed that in his view, Real Madrid’s lack of balance and defensive solidity coupled with Arsenal’s healthy lead after the first leg means they will go through to the competition’s final four.

The pundit said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “Listen, I think Arsenal go through, I think they’ve got too much, I think the Madrid team looked a bit disjoined the other day, the balance in the squad and the team ain’t been right, they’ve been conceding goals left, right and centre…Arsenal.”

“[Bukayo] Saka coming back was the big thing. Saka coming back changed everything for Arsenal. If Saka’s not there, I don’t they would’ve won 3-0 but it is that and I think you’re going to go through man. But if by any chance, if Madrid score first, I am going to be sitting on my lap.”

Thomas Partey shares what he’s told Arsenal players about playing away at Real Madrid

Thomas Partey previewed Arsenal’s clash against Real Madrid by revealing that he has told his teammates to play their natural game at the Santiago Bernabeu and back themselves — a self-assured outlook that Rio Ferdinand’s Manchester United sides often had in the Champions League.

“I think we’ve experienced this many times when we play here and I think it’s not going to be something different We just have to be confident with the ball and try to play our game.”

“We all know what we have to do. We have to go there with the mentality to win. We want to win every game. And I think we have to play our game, be confident with the ball and also try to find our weaknesses and keep attacking them.”