Real Madrid will be out to make history with the chance of claiming their third consecutive Champions League title. The Spanish side head into the final as warm favourites after a stellar European campaign that saw them brush aside Juventus in a tense semi-final clash.
Liverpool are returning to European football’s showcase event for the first time in eleven years. The Reds are all too familiar with the highs and lows of the biggest stage in football and will be looking for their sixth European title.
These two teams failed to win their respective domestic trophies and Real Madrid will be eager to make history. Both of these sides have received strong support in the marketplace but Real Madrid ($2.20) are warm favourites to salute over Liverpool ($3) in the final.
Real Madrid
Madrid became the first side in the modern era to make a successful Champions League title defence with their victory in the final last season.
Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo will be hunting for his fifth European Cup title, becoming only the fifth player in the history of the game to be a part of five victories and they will be looking to continue Spain’s dominance over English opposition in Europe. Spanish clubs have won their last three games in the final against English opposition, with Barcelona getting over Arsenal and Manchester United twice.
Madrid reached the showpiece event in dramatic circumstances, thanks to a controversial 3-1 defeat to Juventus at the Bernabéu. The Spanish side will be wary of a Liverpool side capable of finding the back of the net.
Liverpool
Liverpool have been brilliant in Europe this season, with their only defeat in the competition coming at the hands of AS Roma (4-2) in the second leg of the semi-final.
The Reds won’t be taking a backward step but face a real challenge in having to overcome a substandard record against Spanish opposition away from home.
Liverpool have had a difficult run to the final, with the highlight being a 3-0 first leg win over Manchester City en-route to the final. The Reds have scored 46 goals in the competition, surpassing Barcelona’s record that has stood since the 1999 season.
Head to Head
This is the second time that these two clubs have clashed for the European Cup, with Liverpool getting their hands on the trophy when they defeated Madrid 1-0 in the 1981 final in Paris. These two sides last did battle in the 2014/15 group stage, with Madrid winning both encounters.
Since the sale of Phillipe Coutinho to Barcelona in January, Liverpool has excited the competition with a dazzling brand of high energy football. Egyptian Mo Salah has been the creative force behind the Reds dominance in Europe, scoring 10 goals in the competition this season.
Madrid’s European campaign started with a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup Final and expect them to finish their campaign with a historical win against the Reds in Russia.
Tip: Real Madrid to win ($2.20)
