Here's our Champions League final betting preview ahead of Saturday's showpiece fixture in Paris. Who are YOU backing to lift the trophy, Liverpool or Real Madrid?
On Saturday, 28 May, 13-time winners Real Madrid will meet six-time winners Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Both teams already have trophies in the cabinet for the 2021/22 campaign, but who will add Europe’s ultimate prize this weekend?
Liverpool arrive in the northern Paris suburb after cruelly being teased a shot at the Premier League title on the final day of the season, likely losing key playmaker Thiago Alcântara in the process.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, won La Liga at the end of April and expect to have David Alaba back.
While neither were the outright favourites in the UCL betting predictions, both have more than earned their place in the final.
The Reds had the tougher group and met a somewhat surprising amount of resistance in the knockout stages. Real Madrid have had to make a comeback in each knockout stage to get here.
Before digging too deep into this Champions League final betting preview, here’s a quick take on some of the hot bets below:
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Liverpool (-1): 11/4
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Virgil van Dijk to Score Anytime and Liverpool to Win: 9/1
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Both Teams to Score and Karim Benzema to Score Last: 21/4
Full-Time Result Odds
It’s tough to shake off a bogey team, but Liverpool’s continued improvements under Jürgen Klopp have them heading in the right direction to finally overcome Real Madrid.
Since 2014, the two teams have faced five times, with the Spanish outfit winning four times and the most recent tie, in April 2021, ending 0-0.
However, the Champions League betting is leaning towards a second title for Liverpool in just three years.
The conquerors of Villarreal, Benfica, and Inter Milan are at 21/20 to add the Spanish champions’ scalp to their potential treble-winning campaign.
Despite overcoming Paris Saint-Germain, reigning champions Chelsea, and Manchester City, Real Madrid are clear underdogs in this one.
At 12/5 to win in 90 minutes, the odds have the chance of the final going to extra time or penalties as more likely, with the draw at 13/5.
Handicap Odds
One of the more recent meets between Liverpool and Real Madrid was the 2018 Champions League final, which saw Real Madrid secure a convincing 3-1 win – one of three of the last five meets that have seen them score three against the English side.
To win by the same margin, Los Blancos are at 31/5 with a -1 handicap.
Liverpool, despite being the favourites, aren’t expected to run away with the game, though. Their -1 handicap has odds of 11/4, while to win -2 is far out at 7/1.
Given the attacking prowess that’ll be on the field, a close match is expected by many, so Real Madrid at 3/4 for the +1 handicap will have its suitors.
Correct Score Odds
We all know that in football, history has a way of repeating itself. In 2018, Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kyiv, but the last two UCL finals have ended 1-0.
Los Blancos also toppled the Reds 3-1 when they met in the quarter-finals last year.
In the run to the final, Real Madrid to win 3-1 again is at 25/1, but Liverpool returning the favour is far closer, with odds of 14/1.
In the last couple of years, we’ve seen powerhouse units come up against incredibly stubborn defensive teams. To make it a hattrick, the odds for 1-0 are at 8/1 for Liverpool and 11/1 for Real Madrid.
Still, the attacks look set to take centre stage. With the likes of Vinícius Júnior, Karim Benzema, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Luis Díaz set to be on the field, even the world-class talents of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militão are sure to let in a goal or two.
Goalscorer Odds
In their respective leagues, Liverpool average a mere 0.68 goals against per match, with Real Madrid close behind at 0.82.
While we have a team that’s very good at scoring first and getting points, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has become a veritable comeback king.
Liverpool have scored first on 42 occasions this season, which has led to 38 wins and four draws.
Real Madrid have conceded the first goal 17 times, winning eight times, drawing once, and losing eight – with two of those eight losses resulting in wins on away goals in the UCL.
With this in mind, the 6’3’’ Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté – who tower above the tallest outfield player for Real Madrid, 6’0’’ Militão – could add to their joint tally of five goals directly from corner kicks and give Liverpool the win.
For this, the Dutchman to score anytime in 90 minutes and Liverpool to win is at 9/1.
Of course, the attackers are the more heavily favoured to score for either side in the sports betting.
Salah netting during the game and Liverpool winning is in at 2/1, while Mané doing the same is at 11/4. The in-form new arrival, Díaz, is also worth a look at 29/10 to score in 90 minutes and Liverpool to win.
The Spanish behemoths are also expected to rely on their forwards for their goals.
Benzema has scored 54 per cent of Real Madrid’s Champions League goals this season with 15 and has odds of 15/4 to score and see his team win by full time. His top wingman, Vini Jr, to score and Real Madrid to win is given 11/2 odds.
Given Liverpool’s fondness for scoring first and Real Madrid’s penchant for a comeback, a last scorer for Real Madrid will have a fair bit of interest.
Eight of Benzema’s 15 UCL goals have been last goals, and the Frenchman has only failed to score in two of his 11 games. So, the 21/4 odds on both teams to score and Benzema to score last would align with the teams’ and his seasonal trends.
Who Wins The Champions League?
On Saturday, we’ll witness Liverpool collide with Real Madrid in the final chapter of Europe’s 2021/22 season.
Liverpool are the favourites coming in, but it’s impossible to deny Real Madrid’s staying power and their recent successes against the Reds.
History suggests Real could lift the crown but Liverpool can get over the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League title by clinching European Cup number seven.
Score prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Real Madrid
*All odds accurate at the time of writing - first published: 23rd May 2022*
