The end of the season is upon us. Usually, depression and worry overwhelm our lives as we ponder what to do with ourselves over the coming weeks, but with this year being a World Cup year, excitement is only building. Let’s not forget though, there is still the small matter of a Champions League Final to play.
Here is our preview to Saturday’s game, including a few tips to hopefully build your finances for the World Cup. Please remember to gamble responsibly!
Information
When: Saturday 26th May, 2018. Kick off 19:45.
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine.
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Champions League Final – Preview
How can I watch the 2018 Champions League Final?
BT Sport hold the rights to broadcast the Champions League exclusively in the UK. All BT Sport subscribers can of course watch the final on their TV or via the online app on mobile, tablet or PC.
For those who don’t have a BT Sport subscription, the event will be made free-to-view on Youtube.
A bit of Champions League history
Real Madrid need no introduction when it comes to the Champions League. Their dominance over the last few years have thoroughly stamped their mark on this trophy. For the last seven seasons in a row, they have reached the semi-finals of the competition, winning it three times in that period and twice in the last two seasons.
Liverpool are appearing in their fifth European final since the turn of the century, so they too are no strangers to these big occasions. Their last appearance in a major final ended in disappointment when Sevilla defeated them in the 2016 Europa League final. They of course won it famously in 2005, but also lost a Champions League final two years later, both to AC Milan.
Form
Real Madrid have struggled to emulate the La-Liga winning season that they had last year, falling well behind leaders Barcelona as well as local rivals Atletico Madrid to finish in third place. Domestically they have been all over the place, draws against the so-called lesser sides being far more frequent than anyone would expect. Away from the Bernabeu they have struggled to stop conceding goals, and it is easy to look to Cristiano Ronaldo as a source of their salvation in the sense that Madrid didn’t finish further down the table.
In Europe, however, it is a completely different story. They have shown once again that they fear no team. Even when they haven’t blow teams away, matches against Tottenham at Wembley and Juventus at home spring to mind, they have still managed to find enough to see off any challenge they face.
They go into the final having kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 matches. They have conceded three goals to Juventus, Sevilla and Girona in recent months, as well as two against Villareal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. However, at the other end of the pitch, it has been 18 matches since they last failed to score a goal.
Liverpool have seemingly got better as the season has gone on. After an underwhelming season last year, many predicted that they were not going to be challenging for the title again. They were right, but it is hard to not be impressed by their season. Let’s not forget as well, that it was Liverpool who stopped an unbeatable-looking Manchester City to deny them what was looking like it could be an invincible season.
Recent losses to Chelsea and Roma may have slowed the train down somewhat, but a final day thrashing of Brighton was a good result to go into the Champions League final with. They finished the season having scored 84 goals in the league, the second highest tally behind City.
Team News
In terms of squads, Real’s superiority is clear to see. The depth is outstanding and that is helped by none of their first team carrying any injury to make them a doubt for the final. Zidane has a plethora of options to choose from.
On the other hand, Jurgen Klopp is slightly limited with his selection as injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez and Emre Can will more than likely keep all those players sidelined.
Key Players
Apart from Mohammed Salah and Ronaldo, both teams will need their big names to influence the match if they want to lift the trophy in Kiev.
Articles discussing James Milner’s ability have suggested that his work ethic and experience may prove critical for the Scousers in that midfield. He will have an incredibly tough time trying to stop Luka Modric and Toni Kroos from dictating the play.
Out wide, full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have impressed this season with their attacking prowess, but youth and inexperience may prove to be their downfall when coming up against such established European attackers in such a big game.
Bale has been out of favour with Zidane, despite coming up with goals relentlessly when given the chance to play. The Welshman has that impeccable ability to do something special. It will be interesting to see who Zidane chooses to play, with the Real manager preferring Benzema over Bale for a lot of this season despite Benzema’s clear failings in front of goal.
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino almost come in a three with the Egyptian King. We all know their potency, but Salah is the main threat. He is the tantalisingly-delicious pasta Bolognese among the garlic bread and soup side dishes. Keep Salah quiet, you thwart Liverpool’s attacking threat because as good Firmino and Mane are, they can’t produce moments of absolute brilliance that is going to win the club a Champions League final single-handedly.
Ronaldo Vs Salah
Maybe we should have titled this ‘Ronaldo or Salah,’ because they are unlikely to battle one another directly. But surely one of them will steal the headlines. Like a magnet to the spotlight, Ronaldo always seems to be the man when it comes down to huge moments, and Salah’s form this season has proven that if anything special comes from someone in a Reds shirt, it will most probably be him.
It is no secret that Mohammad Salah has been instrumental to Liverpool’s success this season. His goals, most notably away to City and at home to Roma, have undoubtedly helped his side blow away all that came before them in Europe.
Equally, the consistency of Ronaldo’s goalscoring has shown that he is still one of, if not the, best in the world. He has flawlessly adapted his game and is now a poacher in front of goal as opposed to the winger that he once was at the beginning of his career. It is hard to see the man who always turns up in times like these, not turning up.
Betting Tips (Bet365)
As we have implied earlier, goals look to be on the cards for this one. Therefore, a safe bet will be will be both teams to score and over 2.5 goals.
BTTS & OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 4/6
We feel that it is going to be one of either team’s front man who steals the show, so we have gone for a Man of the Match bet as well. Not great value but a realistic chance of coming in.
SALAH MOTM @ 9/2 or RONALDO MOTM @ 7/2
Real Madrid love a card or two, and with the likes of Casimiero and Ramos in their side they surely won’t be far away from one on Saturday night. We’re predicting the latter to pick one up.
