LIVERPOOL AND REAL MADRID’S ROUTE TO THE FINAL
I think it’s been a phenomenal run for Liverpool in the Champions League. Firstly the “Group of Death” they called it with AC Milan, Porto and Benfica – just the way they navigated themselves through, changing players at the right time and growing in confidence.
I don’t even think they lost once away from home. The only slip they had was against Inter in a second leg at Anfield, where they failed to get a positive result. Apart from that, it’s been plain sailing.
In the semi-final for Liverpool against Villarreal, the first half in the second leg was the first time Liverpool looked nervous and a bit shaky. They managed to navigate through the second half with a little bit of a tweak on formation and personnel, and they found a way of playing. I don’t think Villarreal could have really kept up the intensity that they started the game with, and obviously, Liverpool ran out easy winners over the two legs.
You can argue that Real Madrid has been tested a lot more throughout this competition with the teams they’ve played – Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. It’s just been a phenomenal run by Carlo Ancelotti, who came in under heaps of pressure to turn the fortunes of Real Madrid around.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Modric, Casemiro, and you’ve got a 34-year old Benzema who has scored 36 in La Liga and 11 assists – he’s thoroughly enjoyed the Champions League. He got them the winner from the penalty spot to get Real Madrid through the final.
Can Virgil Van Dijk, Konate or Matip can they keep him out?
I just think Liverpool have got too much on the night for Madrid.
FIRST GOAL SCORER PREDICTIONS
I’m going to go from a set piece. It’s always a bit of a contentious one that centre half berth between konate and Matip, but Konate looks like he’s got the nod in the Champions League. So, I’m going to go for a Konate start first, and then I’m going to say he’s going to score from a set piece.
We’ve already seen him score from a couple of set pieces, identical goals over the last few weeks from corner kicks. He’s just a real threat in the box, and he’s growing in confidence. He likes the challenge in the opposition box when the ball comes in.
So I’m going to say Konate first goal from a set piece.
- Konate to score the first goal on the night is available at 33/1 (34.00).
CORRECT SCORE PREDICTIONS
I’m going to give Real Madrid a goal.
As well as Liverpool have been doing defensively, I just think the quality and the confidence Benzema has at the minute; I’m going to say that he’s going to score on the night. He can get a supply line as well; they can find him in an instant with the quality they have in the midfield. I’m going to go Benzema scores, but I’m going to say Liverpool run out as 3-1 winners.
Liverpool to win the Champions League 3-1.
- Benzema is at 5/4 (2.25) to score against Liverpool.
- Liverpool are at 3/5 (1.60) to lift the Champions League trophy this Saturday.
- Liverpool come in at 14/1 (15.00) to win the final 3-1.
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing.