Our Champions League Final preview, predictions and best bets for the eagerly-awaited matchup between Liverpool and Real Madrid as they battle for European glory.
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| Event | UEFA Champions League Final |
| Who? | Liverpool vs Real Madrid |
| Where? | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France |
| When? | May 28, 2022, 3PM ET |
| Liverpool Money Line Odds | +105 (DraftKings Sportsbook) |
| Real Madrid Money Line Odds | +240 (DraftKings Sportsbook) |
Two of the biggest soccer clubs in the world are facing off on May 28th when Real Madrid meets Liverpool for a matchup that is sure to bring the excitement. The two teams will battle for the title of UEFA Champion at 3 PM ET in Paris, France.
To help fans prepare for the rematch of the 2018 Champions League Final, we are breaking it all down. From players, to game predictions, to our Champions League Final best bets. Check it all out and more below!
UEFA Champions League Preview
Both Real Madrid and Liverpool have been playing great football leading up to this match-up. But make no mistakes, Real Madrid is an underdog.
Despite thrilling wins in the games leading up to the final game, including a rousing goal by Rodrygo against Manchester City, Real Madrid’s squad is not as threatening as Liverpool’s.
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The Story So Far
That being said, Real Madrid enters the game with some momentum that might push them into the win category come game time.
The squad eliminated the two favorites on the way here and showed the world that they are a team that should be taken seriously. Sports fans from any part of the world know that momentum and underdogs make for champions and right now, Real Madrid fits the bill.
However, Liverpool has been looking like champions for a lot longer. Since they won their last Champions League back in 2019, they have only improved. In fact, many believe that this is a stronger squad than the one that took the title three years ago. This season alone the team has captured both the EEF and FA Cup and were narrowly beaten by Man City for the English Premier League title.
Translation: this team is good. They want this win and have the talent and mentality to get it.
This will be the third Championship League final appearance for the Liverpool Football Club in the last five years. To get here, they went through Villareal, with an aggregate win thanks to three second-half goals.
The last loss that the club suffered was all the way back in December. Winning this game would mean a treble-winning season for Klopp’s men since they already have two cup wins under their belt.
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Real Madrid is looking to have a repeat of the last Champions Cup where these teams met in 2018, winning 3-1 against Liverpool. Funnily enough, the last time Real Madrid lost a Champions League Final was to Liverpool all the way back in the year 1981. And where was the final held? You guessed it – Paris, France.
That means the all-time record for this match-up in this game is 1-1, so the winner will also be the tie-breaker. Certainly, there are some storylines here to follow, but not just on the club level…
Players to Watch
Real Madrid Squad
Both teams have great talent who are sure to put on a show come game time. Notably, Real Madrid’s 34-year-old Frenchman Karim Benzema is currently playing career-best football and shows no signs of slowing down.
So far this season, Benzema has racked up a whopping La Liga-leading 27 goals and 13 assists. His prowess led the team to its record 35th La Liga title and, in the Champions League, Benzema has marked seven goals against English Competition. This is a number he no doubt looks to add to in the matchup on the 28th.
Already, those seven goals place Benzema as a record holder for the most goals by a player in a single campaign. In knockout matches so far, Benzema has scored 10 of Real Madrid’s goals including a hat trick in a comeback against PSG. No one on the planet is playing better soccer than this man right now.
It’s Not Just Benzema…
To help even out the Real Madrid squad, Benzema will have Brazilian star “Rodrygo” playing as a winger, himself having big moments in the games leading up to this match-up. Against Chelsea, Rodrygo had a tie-making goal that put the team in a position to win in extra time – thanks to a goal by Benzema.
When down 5-3 against Manchester City, Rodygo scored twice to keep his team in it and lead them to another Benzema game-winner.
In addition to these two beasts, winger Vinicius Junior continues to humiliate opponents with his savvy play-making and point-scoring ability. The 21-year-old Brazilian wonderkind has shown growth over the past few years. This season alone Junior has put up 17 goals and 10 assists and has set up some major plays for those around him.
Liverpool Squad
On the other side of the ball, Liverpool has its own set of weapons. Notably, Mohammad Salah, who is one of the best forwards in the game at the moment and has brought the team a lot of success as of late. The forward has 30 goals and 15 assists for Liverpool collectively across the Champions League and Premier League.
Not to be outdone, Virgil Van Dijk, a center for Liverpool, has been playing at peak performance this season. Many consider the Dutchman to be the best center of his generation. His defensive ability and expert passing skills will certainly make things hard for Madrid come game time.
Records There to be Broken:
- Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, will become the first person to coach in five European Cup Finals.
- If Real Madrid win, Ancelotti will be the first to win four.
- Five Real Madrid players have the chance to equal Cristiano Ronaldo by having five Champions League titles.
- Benzema is positioned to reach or surpass Ronaldo’s 17-goal record in a single season. In doing so, he would become the third all-time scorer in the Champions League.
Champions League Final Predictions: Who Will Win the Champions League?
That is the question on the top of everyone’s minds heading into the matchup. There’s no way to know for sure, but of course, everyone has their opinions on the matter and there is no better opinion maker than the sportsbooks! So, let’s see what they have to say…
| Outcome | Odds at DraftKings |
| Liverpool | +105 |
| Draw | +265 |
| Real Madrid | +240 |
No surprises there. Liverpool has a marginally better squad on paper. However, Real Madrid boast a number of ‘winners’ within their squad, from Karim Benzema to Luka Modric.
As you’re here for our Champions League predictions, that’s what we will give you.
Champions League Final Predictions #1 – Liverpool Will Score First
We can expect to see Liverpool score first. Real Madrid is a comeback team and Liverpool is attack-focused. Therefore, Liverpool will likely expose weakness in the center of the field as they have done all season.
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Plus, Real Madrid seems to only wake up once their backs are against the wall. So, if their team goes down early, maybe the players will wake up and mount a comeback like they have done the past few games.
Champions League Final Predictions #2 – The Match Will End a Draw (in 90 minutes)
Real Madrid “does not lose finals”, or so they claim. They have, of course, but it is worth noting that the last time they played in this game, they won against Liverpool.
Again, Real Madrid’s comeback mentality means that a draw is not ruled out if they go behind in the game.
Safe bet, Liverpool. Exciting bet, Real Madrid. Realistic bet, draw.
Therefore, let’s check these two predictions out at the sportsbooks, and what you could win by wagering.
Champions League Final Best Bets #1
A $20 bet would win you $33.33. Click here to bet.
Champions League Final Best Bets #2
A $20 bet would win you $73. Click here to bet.
Champions League Final Parlay Bet
For our Champions League Final parlay bet, check back closer to game day. We’ll have a parlay ready once more betting markets have been released!
Now, in 2023, it’s time for Man City vs. Inter Milan.
