Champions League Final: Destiny awaits in Madrid

On Saturday June 1st, at 3pm EST from the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final will light up the sporting world of one of soccer's greatest competitions. Below is the moneyline for the grand final.

• Liverpool -107
• Draw +261
• Tottenham +277

UEFA Champions League Final

There's a lot of angles that we need to cover here so let's jump right in.

Team News

Most importantly, for both clubs, is the fitness and availability of their strikers. And the news looks promising for both Harry Kane and Roberto Firmino, as BOTH look like they'll be fit enough to play this fixture. 

The Managers: Klopp vs. Poch

One thing that both managers should be applauded for are the programs they have implemented at their respective clubs, that have allowed for this level of excellence to be attained. 

Jurgen Klopp has now reached his second straight Champions League final proving that last season was no fluke. He and Liverpool may be approaching the ranks of the new standard in Europe.

But one can argue that Mauricio Pochettino deserves just as much and perhaps even more credit than his German counterpart, as he has been able to overcome the odds and reach this final with absolutely no budget. Tottenham did not spend a single dollar in the transfer market this season, whilst his competitors all invested handsomely only to fall short of reaching this European final.

In 9 career head to head meetings between the two gaffers (all in England with these respective clubs) Klopp has the advantage winning 4, drawing 4 and only losing once.

Liverpool has outscored Tottenham 13-11 in these 9 matches, an average of 2.67 goals per game.

Over 2.5 goals has been hit 5 times, including all of the last 4 meetings.

What this game means to each team

This is where it gets interesting...

The love fest for these teams must now end and reality sets in. For all the fuss that has been and will be made about the managers and players in the lead up to the final it must not be overlooked that NEITHER CLUB HAS WON A SINGLE TROPHY UNDER THEIR CURRENT REGIME.

So both clubs have everything to gain, and also Everything to Lose.

For Liverpool and Klopp, winning this game shuts everyone up. Liverpool are the brunt of a lot of mean spirited banter from their English rivals. Lifting the Champions League trophy exercises a lot of demons for this tortured fan base.

As the favorite, losing this final would be a blow to the heart and soul of this organization that would take a long time to recover from. Furthermore, failing in two consecutive Champions League finals would exponentially amplify the criticism and hate that rains down on them, and would bring the entire approach into question. The stakes are high as they could be. 

For Tottenham a club who has never made any claim to greatness, just opened a brand new stadium, and can celebrate their first full season in it as the Champions of Europe. A win would propel them out of the shadow of their bigger, and more successful London rivals, Chelsea and more particularly Arsenal. 

Arsenal who have a bigger status than Spurs and make no secret of this, have also never won a Champions League. Victory on June 1st would give them bragging rights over the team and supporters who have tormented them forever.

Furthermore it would vindicate the frugal approach of Daniel Levy and prove that you don't need to spend to win, a notion that will send shockwaves across Europe. Finally, if Pochettino decides to leave after winning the biggest crown in Europe, he can basically write his own paycheck for his next job.

Defeat would mean that they can still claim no great acheivement and that the money ball approach just doesn't work in the modern era of world football. The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen will still have won nothing in their careers, and their rivals will make sure they know this.

Champions Final Picks

Champions League odds are widely available on all major online betting sites. So be sure to price shop and get the most value you can.

With all that's at stake and the pressure on these players, there is no way this game will be that wide open.

Considering that these two teams play each other at least 2 times a season, familiarity will also play a factor. 5 of the last 6 Champions League Finals have gone over 2.5 goals, however I'm expecting a cagey affair and am looking at the following plays:

First Half Correct score 0-0 +175 on BET365 

Under 2.5 goals -110 on BET365

Next let's talk about goal scorers. Mo Salah in 8 career games vs Tottenham has scored 5 goals. Harry Kane has scored 5 against the Reds in his 9 career games. However with fitness still uncertain for Harry Kane, I'll avoid his prop but definately back the Egyptian talisman to score.

Mo Salah to score anytime +140 on William Hill

In terms of the game, although this will be very close, I'm backing Liverpool to win the Champions League, and in order to eliminate the possibilty of shootout on extra time, I'm going to lay the juice and take Liverpool to lift the trophy -188 on BET365

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:

 

You can follow me on twitter @zahir_gilani

Category : Online Betting News

Tag : Champions League Odds , Champions League Picks , Liverpool , soccer odds , soccer picks , Tottenham , uefa champions league

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