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ODDSbible Football: Champions League Final Betting Preview

ODDSbible Football: Champions League Final Betting Preview

When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

Joshua Jones

Joshua Jones

The biggest game in World Football is finally upon us, as reigning winners Real Madrid face 2015 runners-up Juventus in the Champions League final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

This final represents an incredible opportunity for the Spanish champions, who could become the first side ever to win back-to-back Champions League finals and make it three wins in the last four years.

For Juventus, this is a chance to put themselves firmly back up there as one of the continent's greatest ever sides. The Old Lady haven't won Europe's premier competition since 1996 and, despite winning six Serie A titles in a row, need to make their current crop count.

The Main Men

Led by the incredible Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid have decimated all before them to charge to the Champions League final. They've scored an impressive 32 goals so far in their 12 competition games - four more than any other side - and have attempted an incredible 226 shots.

Their man man, and current Ballon d'Or winner, has been like a man possessed across Europe this year. He's been involved in half of their Champions League goals (10 goals, 6 assists) and has single-handedly dragged his side through some of their ties this year. He scored a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in their semi-final first leg and bagged five of his side's six goals against Bayern Munich in the quarters.

Where there is an unstoppable force though, there's also an immovable object - the Juventus defence.

Led by the evergreen Gianluigi Buffon, the Bianconeri's defence has been nothing short of magnificent in all competitions this season. They've conceded just three times in their 12 Champions League games, with only of those goals coming when they weren't already leading.

Protected by his very own BBC in Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini; 'Superman' has been impeccable when called in to action - making 17 saves and keeping eight clean sheets. Despite being 39-years-old, the old dog is still full of life and would love to add a Champions League trophy to his bulging trophy cabinet.

Ferocious Full-backs

Arguably the unsung heroes of both teams' Champions League campaigns so far, are their Brazilian full-backs.

Dani Alves has been a revelation for Juventus this season. The Old Lady are masters of the 'free transfer' market - recent examples include Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba - and they've done it again with the 34-year-old.

Cast aside by the Barcelona board, Alves was frozen out and offered very little in terms of a reward for his loyalty to the club; spending eight years there and winning three Champions Leagues.

El Loco has really turned up when it mattered for his side, specifically in their semi-final clash with Ligue 1 Champions Monaco. He picked up two assists in their crucial first leg victory in France, contributing to their clean sheet in the process, before scoring the second in their home victory to book their passage to Cardiff.

Marcelo, on the other hand, was impeccable for Madrid in their semi-final second leg at home to Bayern Munich. His energy towards the end of the game and in extra-time propelled Madrid to a 4-2 victory - in which he single-handedly created his side's third goal and settled the tie as a content.

Celebrating 10 years at Real Madrid this summer, he's long been considered one of world's best left backs (if not the best) and his performances this season have justified those claims.

The Verdict

A lot has been made of Gareth Bale potentially winning the Champions League in his home country, but the greater story for me would be Gianluigi Buffon finally winning that elusive title. The World Cup winner is without a victory in Europe's premier competition and it would be incredible for him to do so in what could be his last final.

Having said that, Real Madrid are no pushovers. I'm expecting this one to be a tight, well fought game and wouldn't be surprised to see Over 5.5 cards land at 6/5. Juventus are usually well disciplined but an occasion like this can see all forms of discipline fly out of the window.

Looking at their h2h records, and basically the story of Madrid's season, I think it could be wise to back Both Teams to Score at 19/20. Both sides have scored in the last six Champions League finals (and 10/13), whilst it has landed in their last four meetings. Madrid scored 106 goals in all competitions this season, with Juventus scoring in 43 of their 44 games.

I can't find odds for it at the minute, but I like Match to be Drawn, Ramos to be booked and Juventus to Lift the Trophy. I'm going to request it and leave a link below to the request.

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