Champions League Final Preview and Tips for the Big Game

This Saturday evening, Real Madrid attempt to win their 13^th Champions League title, and what would be their third in succession, as they take on the underdogs Liverpool, who are seeking their sixth title, in the Ukranian capital of Kyiv.

Such a massive match is always going to attract plenty of interest from punters and this year’s final will be no different with two of European football’s biggest and most successful teams going head to head for the second time in this final (Liverpool coming out on top 1-0 when the teams met in the 1981 final in Paris).

Coral Sport will no doubt be offering one of their new player special offers for the game, as they do all major matches across Europe and you could sign up with that deal when it is made available. Alternatively, you can also access a great value regular starter bonus of £20 worth of free bets when you make your first bet of £5 on the site.

In this article, we are going to bring you the lowdown on both the teams, a look at their key players and a quick recap of how we see the final progressing. Finally, we’ll use this information to bring you our biggest value tips on how we see the Champions League Final turning out.

Let’s begin with a look at some details about the final itself before we examine both teams competing in the game in a bit more detail.

Champions League Final

Liverpool v Real Madrid

• Venue – NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev
• Date – Sat 26^th May
• Kick Off – 7.45pm
• Referee – Milorad Mazic (Serbia)

This is the second final to be contested between these teams. Liverpool won in 1981 when the teams met in Paris, a late Alan Kennedy goal handing the Red what was their third European Cup success.

Pen Pic – Liverpool

Manager – Jurgen Klopp

Squad

Season’s Performance

The Reds finished in fourth place in the Premier League. They played 38 games in total and amassed 75 points.  They scored 84 goals across the 38 games (second highest in the division) and conceded 38 goals (joint-fourth best defensive record in the division).

Champions League Performance

Liverpool’s progress to the final began in the Champions League playoff stage.

• V Hoffenheim – Away won 2-1, Home won 4-2

Champions League Group Stage

• V Sevilla – Home drew 2-2, Away drew 3-3
• V Spartak Moscow –Away drew 1-1, Home won 7-0
• V Maribor Branik – Away won 7-0, Home won 3-0

Liverpool finished top of their group with 12 points to qualify for the knockout stage.

Knockout Stage

• Round of 16 – V FC Porto – Away won 5-0, Home drew 0-0 – (5-0 on aggregate)
• Quarterfinal – V Manchester City – Home won 3-0, Away won 2-1 – (5-1 on aggregate)
• Semifinal – V AS Roma – Home won 5-2, Away lost 2-4 – (7-6 on aggregate)

Leading Champions League Scorers & Assists

Top Scorers

• Mo Salah – 10 Goals
• Roberto Firmino – 9 goals
• Sadio Mane – 9 goals

Top Assists

• James Milner – 9 assists
• Roberto Firmino – 8 assists
• Mo Salah – 4 assists

Probable Liverpool XI – (4-3-3) – Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner, Mane, Firmino, Salah

Key Man – Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian has had a brilliant first season for Liverpool, netting over 40 goals in all competitions, including a new record of 32 goals in a Premier League season of 38 games. His pace and energy in attack plus his goalscoring have fired him and Liverpool onto a new level this season.

Pen Pic – Real Madrid

Manager – Zinedine Zidane

Squad

Season’s Performance

Real Madrid finished in third place in La Liga. After 37 games they had amassed 76 points, scoring 94 goals and conceding 44. Only Barcelona scored more goals than Real Madrid, however five teams had a better goals conceded record than Zidane’s team.

Road to Kiev

Real Madrid earned an automatic place in the Group Stage as holders of the trophy.

Champions League Group Stage

• V APOEL FC – Home won 3-0, Away won 6-0
• V Borussia Dortmund – Away won 3-1, Home won 3-2
• V Tottenham – Home drew 1-1, Away lost 1-3

Real finished second in Group H behind Tottenham Hotspurs to qualify for the knockout stage.

Knockout Stage

• Round of 16 – V Paris St Germain – Home won 3-1, Away won 2-1 (5-2 on aggregate)
• Quarterfinal – V Juventus – Away won 3-0, Home Lost 1-3 (4-3 on aggregate)
• Semifinal – V Bayern Munich – Away won 2-1, Home Drew 2-2 (4-3 on aggregate)

Leading Champions League Scorers & Assists

Top Scorers

• Cristiano Ronaldo – 15 Goals
• Karim Benzema – 4 goals
• Marcelo – 3 goals

Top Assists

• Dani Carvajal – 3 assists
• Cristiano Ronaldo – 2 assists
• Marcelo – 2 assists

Probable Real Madrid XI (4-4-2) – Navas, Vasquez, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Bale, Ronaldo

Key Man – Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese legend remains Real Madrid’s most potent attacking weapon and he has come up with the goods time and time again in the Champions League this season. Liverpool will remember how he put them to the sword at Anfield four years ago and will know that if they are to win, they need to keep a lid on his extraordinary goalscoring talents. He is the Champions League top goalscorer this season with 15 goals, five clear of Mo Salah.

How will Liverpool v Real Madrid be decided?

The key aspects of this game is which defence can best deal with the attacking threat posed by their opponents. Liverpool need to get to grips with Ronaldo and his partner, whoever that may be, while Real will need to get to grips with Liverpool’s pacy, pressing attacking trio. Which defence copes best on the day, I believe will be the foundation for that teams eventual success. Neither defence convinces me greatly but I just think Real’s experience will give them the edge here.

Match Tips

• Match Result Tip – Real Madrid to win – 6/5 with Coral Sport
• First Goalscorer – Cristiano Ronaldo – 14/5 with Coral Sport
• Correct Score – Real Madrid 2-1 Liverpool – 8/1 with Coral Sport
• Anytime Goalscorer – Sadio Mane (Liverpool) – 9/4 with Coral Sport