The 2017-18 Champions League started with 32 teams. Now, it is down to the final two as Real Madrid play Liverpool on May 26 for the European Cup.
The Champions League has been owned by Real Madrid since the competition debuted in 1955. The Spanish team has won more European Cups than any other club (12) and this season will see the team play in its fourth Champions League final in five years. Not only are Real Madrid returning the tournament’s ultimate match, but the Spanish club is aiming to win the competition for a third year running. The feat has not been accomplished since Germany’s Bayern Munich did it from 1973 to 1976.
Liverpool aren’t novices when it comes to the Champions League. The English club has won five European Cups, which is third most of any team in the competition. While Real Madrid has found a rich vein of recent success, Liverpool has not won the Champions League since 2005, when the Reds defeated AC Milan in what is consider the greatest final of all-time.
The Reds did appear in the 2007 Champions League final, but lost 2-1 in a rematch against AC Milan. This will be Liverpool’s first opportunity to once again claim the trophy since that final 11 years ago.
Real Madrid: +120
Leading sportsbooks have installed Real Madrid at +120 to win a 13th Champions League final. The Spanish team came through the semifinal two-match series with a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich. The team was not at its best during the two matches and star player Cristiano Ronaldo did not score in either match. It was the first time in the tournament this season that Ronaldo had failed to score in a round. The forward has scored the most goals in the tournament this season (15), however.
Real Madrid showed it could win when its best player wasn’t playing up to his usual high level. Moreover, Real Madrid’s defense was strong in both games and despite bending over the course of 180 minutes, it didn’t break.
Liverpool +200
Liverpool go into the final as the Champions League’s top scoring team this season. Liverpool have tallied 40 goals in the competition, 10 more than Real Madrid. Twenty-nine of those Liverpool goals have been scored by forwards Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The trio is incredibly dangerous and Real Madrid will have their hands full all game.
Liverpool’s biggest problem, however, is its defence. Against Roma in the semifinal, Liverpool eked through on aggregate 7-6. Liverpool won the first match of the two game series, 5-2, but managed to lose the second match 4-2. Thanks to outscoring their opponents over both games, the Reds made the final in Kiev.
Champions League final early prediciton
Both clubs have put a lot into the Champions League and neither will win their domestic league. Real Madrid has the edge as the team has somehow save their best performances for the Champions League. Liverpool’s defense is just too shaky despite their exciting attack. A Real Madrid win and Ronaldo to score seems like a worthy wager for anyone looking to bet on the final.
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