Real Madrid v Liverpool - Champions League Final

One European football game that many people look forward to is the Champions League final and this weekend on Saturday night, Liverpool will take on Real Madrid to see who will lift the crown. There is no doubt that Madrid are favourites for this game, both based on their past victories in the tournament and the squad they have available to them. However, Liverpool have saved some of their best performances for this competition and cannot be discounted with ease here, especially if they decide to play their regular attacking style and not be scared of Madrid.

The one man who is going to decide where the Champions League trophy is going is Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool boss has a big decision ahead of him, and that is how he is going to send his Liverpool team out to play. They are up against formidable opposition and in a tough game with a lot on the line, so does he decide to play more defensively and conservatively because of that? Or does Klopp go with what has served him best all season, and allow his players the creative freedom to attack and press Madrid?

The way I see this game panning out is that if Liverpool decide to approach the game in a defensive manner then they will invite Madrid to attack them. With the players they have in their team, Madrid will score goals and they will win the game. However, Madrid do have defensive issues and the best way to combat their attacking nature may be to attack them head on. If Klopp takes this plan of action he has enough match winners in his team to win, but Liverpool have to believe that and go into the game thinking their attacking mentality can win them the game. I believe it can, and if Jurgen Klopp goes for it, I believe it will be the English team lifting the Champions League trophy in Kiev on Saturday night.

Anyone looking at the Liverpool team will see that while they have improved their defensive play over the past few months, their real strength is their attacking play. They attack with not only quality, but genuine pace and a high press that few teams manage to cope with. When looking at the matchups on paper, if Liverpool do attack they look sure to cause problems for Real Madrid. The same can of course be said going the other way, Madrid have the ability to cause Liverpool problems but at least Liverpool wouldn’t be sat inviting the pressure if they chose to attack instead of defend.

As far as betting goes, a popular way to bet on the game is sure to be on the total goals scored. Many people think goals will be in the game, and you can back over 3.5 goals at 11/10 with Betfair if you fancy that to happen. Elsewhere, it is the 90 minute betting market that interests me, with Liverpool looking attractive at 21/10 with Betfair. They must attack Madrid if they are to win, but if they do so then this looks like being a very even game, making Liverpool the value in what should be a cracking final.

Champions League Final Betting Offers

NetBet 1st Goal Scorer Refund - One of the most frustrating parts about backing a player to score the first goal is when that player goes on to score a goal in the game, but not the first. By taking advantage of this offer from NetBet you get the chance to bag yourself a refund if that happens. On live televised Champions League games they offer a refund if your chosen first goal scorer goes onto score the second goal of the game instead of the first. With goals likely in this one, first goal scorer bets are sure to be popular and those interested should check this offer out.

BetStars 80+ Minute Goal Insurance - The BetStars 80+ minute goal insurance is a great way to cover your bet when you are betting on team to win. If a goal is scored in the 80th minute or after then they will refund bets if that goal means your bet is a loser, so the pain you have felt for having a losing bet will be quickly gone thanks to this offer. Late drama can happen in cup finals, and this is a great way to cover yourself against that if it happens on Saturday.