FINALS are rarely great games but hopefully this much-anticipated Champions League showdown will live up to its billing.
It's the first final between city rivals and should have an edge to it. Neither will want to lose and for the one that does the scar of defeat will show for a long time.
Real Madrid obsess about La Decima … a record 10th European crown. They last won the trophy in Glasgow in 2002 and it’s been a long wait to reach another final and complete a journey that started with victory over Stade de Reims in Paris in 1956.
Atletico Madrid have the bragging rights after winning La Liga last week for the first time since 1996. It’s a fascinating match-up between the tournament’s highest scorers and the best defence.
Real have smashed 37 goals in 12 games and are the only team in Champions League history to average more than three a game – in no small part down to Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
But can Atletico Madrid, who have conceded a record low six goals in 12 outings, stop the dynamic duo?
Atletico to keep a clean sheet is 3-1 at bet365, according to easyodds, while bet365 offer 15-4 to score three or more.
They are interesting stats and while picking a winner isn’t easy I’m siding with Real to make their Decima point after all those years.
I tipped Real on the anteposts mainly because I liked the thought of Ronaldo and Bale paired together – and Karim Benzema – is no mug either.
They are bookies favourites at 21-20 with the likes of BetVictor and bet365 to win in 90 minutes and 1-2 at bet365 to lift the trophy – but Atletico deserve respect after holding off Barca to claim the title and it should be closer contest than bookies believe.
Atletico have won only two of their last 30 competitive games against Real but both came last year. And they been victorious in four of their five finals against their rivals – all in the Spanish Cup.
This season Real won both legs of their Spanish Cup clash but in the league Atletico won one and drew one.
Atletico, the only unbeaten side in the tournament this season, are 10-3 at Betfred to win in normal time and 15-8 at Coral on the outrights.
Their star man of course is Diego Costa and Atletico hope he is available to start after injury problems. But if he does he’s unlikely to be 100 per cent. Costa is listed at 5-1 with bet365, BetVictor and others to net first and 12-5 just to score.
Ronaldo is of course favourite to net first at 16-5 with McBookie and he is tough to back against. His 16 goals in a single European Cup campaign is a record and the Portuguese star has rattled in 37 goals in his last 29 Champions League outings which is incredible.
To net at any time Ronaldo is 11-10 with bet365 and BetVictor with Bale and Benzema 11-5 with bet365.
Recommended Bets
Real Madrid
(21-20, BetVictor, bet365)
Ronaldo to score
(11-10, BetVictor, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
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Put your hands together then Mr F and what you get?
Ronaldo anytime,R.Madrid win…6/4 skybet
Same with Ronaldo first ping…5/1!
Few Queen quids on both an am no bets till Brazil :P
Ps ye get enhanced bets tomorrow too :)
Mr f agree but i feel the r.madrid and derby games will go to extra time,particulary the madrid game.so derby to be promoted and real to lift the trophy(double) good luck lads
Can’t pick a winner here. Alonso missing a massive blow to Real. 1-1 or 2-2 draw for me
Some obvious stats for the C L final
We’re edging closer to the World Cup, but all eyes will be on the Champions League Final this weekend…
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Saturday 7.45pm, ITV1
Here’s what the stats say – across 3 key areas…
In the last 10 Champions League Finals:
Total Goals: ‘Exactly 2-3 Goals’ bets have paid out in 8 out of 10 (80%)
Both Teams to Score bets have paid out in 7 out of 10 (70%)
7 of the last 10 Finals have been decided in Normal Time (70%). The 3 Finals that went to Extra Time were all decided on Penalties
In the Champions League this season:
Real are top scorers – averaging 3.0 Goals FOR per game
Atletico have conceded the least goals – averaging just 0.5 Goals AGAINST
Atletico are unbeaten (W9 D3 L0)
Real and Atletico – Head-to-Head:
In the last 8 meetings (since Diego Simeone became Atletico manager):
Real Madrid have won 5, Atletico have won 1, with 2 draws
The last 8 meetings have averaged 2.75 Goals per game
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored the First Goal in 4 of the last 8 meetings (50%)
Best Bets…
One strong trend stands out…
The stats say there’ll be goals. The Final pitches the tournament’s and La Liga’s top scoring team against the best defence in both competitions. Total Goals: ‘Exactly 2-3’ covers a stack of common score-lines (1-1, 2-0, 0-2, 2-1 and 1-2).
Total Goals: ‘Exactly 2-3’ Goals @ 10/11 with Paddy Power
Ronnie’s the man at 3/1…
And if you’re looking for a bigger payout, look no further than Cristiano Ronaldo in the First Scorer market…
Ronaldo has missed several games through injury recently but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti says he’ll be back for the Final.
Ronaldo has scored the First Goal in 4 of 8 games v Atletico and has already hit a record 16 Champions League goals this season.
And his Cup Final record is excellent – Ronaldo landed First Scorer bets in last season’s Copa del Rey Final in Spain and in the 2008 Champions League Final for Man Utd…
First Scorer – Ronaldo @ 3/1+ in general
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Cheers for that information 1+2
Saturday is the dawn of a new ERA in sports and horse betting – PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THESE SELECTIONS FOR HEALTHY BANK BALANCE – take the hint IMHO these are bankers esp the tennis :-)
Champions League Final
If Benzema plays wait for line ups.
Karim Benzema anytime scorer @ 888sport @ 12/5 65%
Karim Benzema to score 2 or more 14/1 (PP,365,888)
13-50 Goodwood 8/Windhoek @ 100/30 Paddy Power 99%
Saracens to win the Heiniken Cup @ 7/5 Paddy Power
off @ 5-00pm 99%
THE MAIN BET OF THE DAY 99.9%
Frederico Delbonis 2-0 @ 11/2 off @ Boylesports ATP Nice Final
Also Win Double Delbonis @ 9/4 various with Bouchard (to win her tennis match) @ 2/5 various bookies 99%
Cannot see Frederico Delbonis winning this 2-0 according to the fedex ratings he is well behind in every department.
What makes you think he is a 99.9 % choice m8 ?
Am i the only one tbat is thinking of backing Athletico to lift the trophy?
Also gone for a bonkers first goalscorer of Joao Miranda (40/1 LB) as, barring a moment of individual excellence from Ronaldo (which cannot be ruled out), i think things will be tight before the first goal and the deadlock will be broken from a set piece. Hence my value option. I also think Athletico will get two men on Ronaldo as soon as he gets the ball which will make it difficult for him to score. My stake will also be refunded if Ronaldo scores at anytime in 90 minutes which will surely happen? I think im with Robbie on 1-1.
I do enjoy the footy but this is not a tip but my selection and i am by no means an expert on Spanish football!
2 bets for me with 365 offer.
Ronaldo anytime
Under 2.5
Namaste :)
Real Madrid -1 @ 13/5
Looks promising
I know it’s early but a quick in play tip. In Japan’s J2 League, Ehime are beating Shonan Bellmare 1-0. Shonan Bellmare have won 14/14 games so far and sit top, whilst Ehime sit 16th in the table. Ehime have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 3 at home so far this season. If you use Soccerway’s H2H Comparison, you can see that Shonan Bellmare have scored 23 away goals in 7 games, and over 55% of their goals come in the 2nd half. So far Ehime have had 3 shots, 2 on target whilst Shonan have had 11 shots, 5 on target. I’ve gone for a Draw No Bet for Shonan at 6/4 on Bet365. I can’t see an outcome where Shonan don’t at least get a draw, so maybe you’d want to got for a double chance but obviously the odds aren’t as good. It’s currently half time so if you’re interested i’d get on it now. If Shonan score an early goal you could even cash out early for a decent amount of profit, then at least whatever happens it doesn’t matter.
And why i’ve posted this in the Champions League thread I have absolutely no idea (Did I mention it’s early?)
Draw h/t Real Madrid f/t pays 4/1 bet365
Surely one of the best football bets of the year is the card index in this game. The last time they met saw 12 bookings and 2 sent off! That was also a cup final the copa del rey. The time before there were 8 bookings. The intensity of the champions league final will combined with the derby atmosphere will create a melting pot. For me its
High stakes o50 points 6/5
High stakes Real o20 7/5
High stakes Atl 020 8/11
Medium on red card 13/5
Low on 2 red cards 25/1
Athletico have been the best team,that i have seen this season of pressurising,the opposition when they haven’t got the ball.alonso does this job for real,he ,s not playing.real are a fantastic team,when they are allowed to play,they will not get that luxury tonight,both key players trained yesterday for A M.
ATHLETICO FOR ME ONE NIL 8/1
AHHETICO TWO ONE 12/1.WILLIAM HILL.
PROBABLY BETTER OUT THERE
GOOD luck everyone.
I’m an existing bet365 can I get the £50 free bet?
jimba, yeah it’s for everyone.
There are two hurdles, will it go to extra time and who will win.
Real for me, and within 90. Logic tells me they have too many goals in them. (7-3 this season) It also tells me their pass rate is almost 90% against At Mad, that detail can win a match in 89 minutes.
Carlo is under pressure (well on the surface he isnt, but under the surface he will be, but his wily character will probably make more sense of the situation. His experience in finals helps him as players can get a lot from that on the night)Simeone has achieved a lot this season, he has less pressure for sure.
At Mad have a bit more fire collectively than Real, who are somewhat more technical robots but technical will win this game every time if the desire is also there. Losing out on the league will have Real absolutely ready – sometimes winning a league, so important for At Mad, can break that tight elastic chord – feelings of achievement can lower desire.
Great managers both, Carlo with a whole pile of more experience having lifted 28 cups(something close to that) in his time as player and manager as well as 4 CL cups 2+2.
You would have to have Ronaldo on the list to score in his homeland and having scored three already against them this season – but its fair to say Benzema will have the greater freedom out the three, if he plays.
Win in 90? Only one draw this season, every game has had a goal before 20 minutes, and only one goal has been late in the game.
=Real to win in 90. 1/1
=Ronaldo/Benzema to score evens/12/5
=goal before 52 minutes 5/6
Real 10 At Mad 12 on the yellow card markets the previous four games combined.
=2.5 Real(5/4) 3 At Mad (4/5)
Tight match for sure but tactically Carlo has Real built to adapt to scenario’s than specific tactics – Simeone the opposite – side has a clear idea of what needs to be done.
Hence, that makes Real a little bit of an unknown and quite tricky to decipher.
If Real are losing though, having lost the league and the CL could really mess up their minds, a goal down could have them implode if its in the second half with no Ancelotti to cool them down.
Ive been watching Anc and Sim for years, both from player and manager view and I would prefer to chainsaw the cup in two as both deserve it. Not a huge fan of Real Madrid or Barca for their hands on state money if something went belly up with their massive debts, so Id prefer to see At Mad take this one. But Id like Carlo to get his third CL title.
Real Madrid all the way I just think they have the better players.Alonso not playing don’t see that as an issue.If Costa has a hamstring prob from last week no way is he 100% fit.Real -1 plus Real win Ronaldo to score.
PIN HIGH Where are you getting those cards odds mate? I really fancy the cards tonight also, but with B365 the odds are nowhere near what you have put up. Any help appreciated.
Just re-checked those odds
Over 4.5 cards is 4/6
Real Over 2.5 is 5/4
Atl Over 2.5 is 4/5
Maybe not as far out as I first thought with the odds you quoted. All B365.
Who are those odds with Pin High?
bonkers bet
real Madrid to win 3.2 or 4.2
Card odds I put up are on PP
I made an error earlier the odds of 25/1 are for both teams to have a red not 2 reds. Still worth a small investment
Ramos anytime 8-1 ppower
Can anyone see this ending 0-0?
Last time these drew 0-0 was 2005, 1993 before that.
But this is a UCL Final and Atletico are very tight.
Anyone?
Fitba Tips, every game starts 0-0 and every game can finish 0-0. I hope it doesn’t but of course it could. Right, no Bankies game so off for a big walk. Hopefully back in time for Derby game.
Fitba tips, no one knows is the answer. If you choose it, it will be chance deciding it for you. In fact, no one has a better answer for At Mad winning this final than for Real. So backing At Mad is a greater chance – Its all stacked into favour for Real Madrid in many ways.
A final is a final, all I can say is 1/4 games have ended in a draw this season. That is all I can go on for this game, it looks less likely for a draw at 90min.
Just back from spending a week in Disneyland Paris with my family. Absolutely knackered but looking forward to tonight’s final. Although it’s hard to back against Ronaldo what about looking for better value in Sergio Ramos. Ramos is generally available at 16/1 for first goal and is a best price of 22/1. These prices are quite poor for a defender in such an evenly matched game but Ramos’s recent goalscoring record is reflected in these prices. Ramos has scored 5 goals in Madrid’s last 7 games, two of which has been first goal and his tally includes a double against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. I’m sure he will be keen to add to his tally tonight and will be present for set pieces etc. Instead of backing him to score first, for better value put your bets on him to score at anytime. He’s available at an industry best of 9/1 with Bet365 which is rather generous considering the likes of Coral go 9/2. This in my opinion is a much better option than the 16/1 or 22/1 which is available for first goal. For an interest you could put small stakes on Ramos to score first in 1-20 mins @ 55/1. He scored two against Bayern Munich within 20 mins so you can’t rule it out against Atletico Madrid.
Recommended Bets:
Sergio Ramos to score anytime @ 9/1
Sergio Ramos First Goalscorer 1-20 mins @ 55/1
Both bets with Bet365.
Good luck everyone.
Chris, I might do a small bet on Ramos. Hope that holiday was paid for by the bookies.
I did some analysing in bed last night and worked out Germany will win the World Cup beating Brazil in the final.
I want to play the Bet 365 risk free bet on the UCL Final can anyone explain how this works, Thanks fellas
New to the site,but have come out winning on the previous football season.Happy days,I have backed Atl to win either 1-0 or 2-1.I believe it will be a tight game.Honestly I don’t believe C.Ronaldo will score in the game either,sorry to dissapoint the majority.
Evening guys, wont go into to much depth I think everyone by now knows the relevant stats and are familiar with the players. I think it maybe a tight affair as I cant see Atletico attacking them like Bayern and allow the front three of real to counter attack them. An interesting stat is since the Champions league was renamed from the European cup, six matches have ended draw and all six have gone to penalties. It is 11/2 at William Hill and is worth having onside.
Ronaldo and Costa unsurprisingly start and that doesn’t surprise me, however I would be amazed if Costa especially finish the match. Instead I’m leaving the big two out of my bets and instead going with Raul Garcia 22/5 Unibet and Gareth Bale 23/10 Paddy Power.
If it does goes to penalties then the goalkeepers may get the award for man off the match. I have already taken a good value bet of Betfred today and I willing to part with a few quid on Any keeper being man of the match at 16/1.
MATCH TO GO TO PENALTIES 11/2
BALE TO SCORE 23/10
GARCIA TO SCORE 22/5
BONKERS BET
ANY KEEPER TO BE NAMED MOM 16/1
Good luck if your having a bet
Yeah Paul, half and half to be honest. Cost a fortune and that was without buying one of your best beers. I fancy Ramos to score so hope you got on.
I hope people took GODIN anytime which I’ve been saying all last few days
What’s 5 x 18/1 ?
I also advised miranda anytime
And gabi anytime 2/1. Anytimer card
Also have my biggest ever bet draw no bet on atleti
Nice one Chris
Cheers MacB
Paul did you get on Ramos?
Chris, I did, first and anytime for small stakes – on the way to the pub. Even before your write-up I’d been thinking about it with his amazing recent goal record. Godin and Ramos made sense in hindsight.
Chris Guy, thank you!
Was looking for something to stick a £10 free bet on and saw your write up.
Cheers mate.
Cheers Chris, had a free £50 in play bet to place. Got on Ramos at 11/1 after reading your write up. Good pick mate.
Sorry can I be acknowledge for Godin which I’ve been suggesting since Thursday just coz I’m not so well in with people im upset that community dont note my success too
I really do some great ANYTIMER scores one of the best for value play .
Called Curtis Davies 18/1 Jeff Hendrick 10/1 George Thorne 14/1
And now Godin
Look out for golden tips on anytimer scorer in world cup I go for value play rather than a 5/4
A few of mine win and ur laughing
Great shout Ramos though Godin was first scorer and scored v barca has 1 shot a match as I mentioned and he scored
Im very proud of my great tips and actuskly don’t need to be acknowledged !
That’s not point I’m not that childish ! Excuse my dramaz !
Well done all who won out today !
Thats what’s about !
Peace out !
As above advised draw. Put 50 free bet on this.
Small stakes on 1-1 and Ramos anytime singles.
Nice World Cup pot now
Well done Golden