We’ve asked each member of #TeamFT, plus one of our mates from Squawka, to give their best bet for the Champions League Final. Here’s what we’re backing!
Dean Smith:
“History suggests there aren’t many goals in Champions League Finals, but can you really back a low-scoring game in Madrid after the two semi-finals involving these teams?
“Liverpool came from three goals down to beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate, whilst Spurs produced a stunning comeback of their own and drew 3-3 with Dutch giants Ajax and indeed both teams scored in both of the league meetings between these sides this season.
“As a Tottenham fan, it hurts to admit that Liverpool are the better side, but I’m not one to let my heart rule my head so I’m backing Liverpool to beat Spurs and both teams to score as they did at Wembley and Anfield in the Premier League this term.”
Liverpool to win and BTTS @ 5/2 with BetHard
Sam Long of Squawka:
“Whether Harry Kane plays or not – I believe Mauricio Pochettino will play Dele Alli just off the front man – which brought the north Londoners so much success in the latter stages of the semi-final.
“The England international has had a bit of a quiet season, falling below the high standards he has set himself in his short time at elite level and struggling with a series of injuries.
“Alli has not scored since January’s victory over Fulham – so the 23-year-old is certainly due a goal – and I’m backing him to get the better of Virgil van Dijk and co. to become the youngest ever English goalscorer in a Champions League final.
“A backpost header has become something of a trademark for Alli and I can see him popping up to get the better of either Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andy Robertson in the air.”
Dele Alli to score at any time @ 17/4 with BetHard
Vedran Ostojic:
“Liverpool are set to play their second UEFA Champions League Final in a row as they search for their 6th title in an all-English clash against Tottenham, having last bagged the silverware in 2005.
“They’ve been in great shape but still failed to snatch the Premier League top spot, which surely gives them more to gain from a lengthy break and I now feel Jurgen Klopp and his men recuperated.
“While Spurs will obviously be no easy targets in Madrid and we all expect a thrilling contest, we’ve also seen Reds struggling to keep clean sheets on the road – which has me going for just that with Liverpool to win and a Yes on Both teams to score.
Liverpool to win and BTTS @ 5/2 with BetHard
Richard McTiernan:
“It is the Champions League final a game that comes once in a lifetime for many so nobody will be leaving anything behind.
“This means the card markets appeal and one player, in particular, looks a great price to be shown one and that is Fabinho.
“The Brazilian is regularly employed in a similar vein to Fernandinho at Man City to break up play and dangerous attacks at speed which Spurs are very capable at.
“He was booked in both legs with Barcelona and I expect him to enter the notebook of the referee on Saturday night.”
Fabinho to be booked @ 21/10 with BetHard
Jon Wilde:
“Take a look through the results of the Champions League knockout matches involving these clubs this season and it’s difficult to imagine how there cannot be goals.
“Yes, there were some cagey games, e.g. Liverpool’s home leg against Bayern Munich and a few 1-0 scorelines when Spurs played. But otherwise, goals have flowed freely and never more so than in the second legs of the semi-finals – nine across those two matches.
“In the last two seasons, three or more goals have been scored in all of these clubs’ Premier League meetings and even with Europe’s biggest prize on the line, there is no reason why it should be any less entertaining in Madrid.”
Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 with BetHard
MORE: Get our Champions League Final Predictions and Betting Tips here. You can also find our Daily Treble tips, a tasty trio of bets on today’s best football fixtures.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli
