As the dust settles on the top domestic leagues around Europe, it is time for the highly anticipated showpiece event that will pull the curtains on the football season. This Saturday evening on the 28th of May, the iconic Stade de France in Paris is going to be the setting as 6-time European champions Liverpool FC contest the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid CF, the most decorated club in Spain and 13-time winners of this competition.
It is a repeat of the final from 3 years ago when the Merseyside club suffered a heart-breaking defeat to hand the Spanish giants a hat-trick of titles in the competition, even though it did go on to lift the trophy in the following season. Liverpool went past Inter Milan, Benfica and Villareal in the knockout-rounds to reach this final. Real Madrid had to take a more challenging route past Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Liverpool FC v Real Madrid CF Betting Odds
It is a bit surprising to see Liverpool as the clear favourite with the bookies considering the unmatched pedigree of Real Madrid in this particular tournament.
Liverpool: 2.06 on Sportsbet.io
Draw: 3.05 on Sportsbet.io
Real Madrid: 3.45 on Sportsbet.io
Liverpool FC Team News & Playing XI
With League Cup and the FA Cup already in the bag, Liverpool lost out on the Premier League by a whisker which ended its hopes of achieving an unprecedented quadruple.
Formation-wise, it will be straightforward from Jüergen Klopp with his ubiquitous 4-3-3 system but the fitness of some key players is the major issue. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is indispensible for the side while Virgil van Dijk is expected to partner Joel Matip for the centre-back partnership after being rested for the last two games. Andy Robertson should start in the left-back role with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the opposite flank.
Midfield-anchorman Fabinho might also be deemed fit to start after pulling up with a hamstring-strain a couple of weeks back but Thiago may not available after leaving the pitch for a similar issue in the previous game. Therefore Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita could be the other two midfielders. Meanwhile Sadio Mané, Mohammed Salah and Luis Diaz seem to be the best fit in the fluent front-3 combination.
Probable XI: Allison Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keïta, Mohammed Salah, Luis Diaz, Sadio Mané.
Real Madrid CF Team News & Playing XI
While it has not been a vintage campaign with the team in transition, yet Real Madrid still cruised to the La Liga title and is in the final of the Champions League once again.
With no major injury-concerns in the squad, Carlo Ancelotti will line his team in the usual 4-3-3 formation while he also has the chance of becoming the most successful manager in competition. Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed choice between the posts with Eder Militão and David Alaba as the preferred centre-back pairing. Daniel Carvajal will start on the right-side of the back-four with Ferland Mendy on the left.
Casemiro will take up the crucial enforcer role in the defensive-midfield position with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos being the two exceptional playmakers on either side of him who are going to be the chief source of creativity within this team. Vinícius Júnior will definitely start on the left-wing but Federico Valverde may get the nod over Rodrygo to operate on the right-flank with skipper Karim Benzema in the centre-forward role.
Probable XI: Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militão, David Alaba, Daniel Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Federico Valverde, Vinícius Júnior, Karim Benzema.
India Bet Top Betting Picks
Match Result & Total - Liverpool & Over 2.5
Liverpool has shown sparkling form in the Champions League with a perfect away-record in the competition, winning all its 6 fixtures on the road and scoring at least 2 goals in each game. Real Madrid has tasted 2 losses in the past 3 Champions League matches on the road although it has scored at least 3 goals in 4 of its 6 away-games.
Bet on Liverpool & Over 2.5 at 2.92 on Sportsbet.io
Liverpool FC Highest Scoring Half - 2nd Half
Thus far, Liverpool has accumulated 13 goals during its 6 matches in the knockout-phase of the Champions League, out of which 10 were scored in the 2nd half. Moreover, Real Madrid has not kept a clean-sheet in Champions League since the group-stages and has conceded 6 times in the 2nd half of the previous 6 European matches.
Bet on 2nd Half at 2.36 on Sportsbet.io
First Goal: Real Madrid
Although Liverpool are placed as the clear favourite, it might go a goal down first considering the Reds have conceded the first goal in each of the last 5 matches in all competitions. Real Madrid is renowned for its formidable forward-line and los Blancos have scored the opening goal in 3 of its previous 4 matches in the Champions League.
Real Madrid to Score First Goal at 2.38 on Sportsbet.io
India Bet Bookmaker Picks
- Winning Margin: Liverpool 1 Goal at 3.75 on PariMatch
- Half Time/ Full Time: Draw/Liverpool at 5.20 on PariMatch
- Team to Score Goal No. 5: Liverpool at 7.70 on PariMatch
India Bet Prediction
This is will be a close fight between these two European powerhouses but Liverpool might just have the edge over Real Madrid and draw revenge for its defeat 3 years ago.
Correct Score: Liverpool 3-2 Real Madrid at 23.0 on PariMatch
To Qualify: Liverpool at 1.58 on PariMatch
Date: 28th May 2022, Venue: Stade de France, Paris
PS: Redeem this 500 IBR Code which is valid until 28th May.
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