Ronaldo and Real Madrid will face Liverpool. Photo by Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Our first losing piece in the last 8, the busting of the bookies was put on hold. Be we are back, with a sort of vengeance, as the Champions League final has arrived.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool
The venue: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv – the capital of Ukraine
In front of 63,000 fans live, and 2.8 million viewers worldwide, we get a cracker of a match between to of Europe's most prestigious clubs as well as two of the biggest stars.
Ronaldo, his name alone, draws the attention of even the less casual soccer fan. For good reason, as the Real Madrid striker always puts on a show, and Saturday will be no different. Ronaldo is scorching hot and leads the tournament with 15 goals this campaign. He has scored in 9 goals in his last ten matches. He also leads with goals scored in all competitions this season with 50.
His superstar counterpart, or the villain per say, none other than King Mohamed Salah, who brings his own scoring streak of 8 goals in his last ten matches. Fresh off being named the Premier League Player of the Year for netting a record-breaking 32 goals in a 38 game season, the Egyptian will look to break down a shaky Madrid defense, but one that's boosted by an offense that's scored in the last 12 Champions League Matches. Scoring won't be the problem; it will be the defense of Liverpool that will be asked to sustain heavy pressure for most of the match while trying to create from out of the back. The Liverpool tactics prosper when the high pressure and counter attacks are functioning correctly. The three-headed monster Liverpool has in Mane, Firmino and Salah take the smallest of space and turn it up-field into counters that leaves defenders on their back foot trying to recover.
The Pick
Matches like this require experience in moments where the game will be won or lost. Liverpool has given up a massive amount of goals in second halves, something I think derives from the fact the players exert so much energy early in games with he ultra pressure they are asked to exhibit. This match will see goals a plenty, as we have seen all tournament long at a pace of 3.2 per game.
Liverpool comes into this match as the highest scoring side in this competition with 40 goals; second place is Real Madrid with 30. The game sets up perfect for the fan of high scoring affairs, with both of these team generating plenty of chances and ranking in the top 5 in opportunities created, only trailing Bayern Munich
Real Madrid Team Total Over 1.5 5U
Real Madrid to win the Cup 5U
Over 3 5U
Both teams score and Madrid Win +240
Ronaldo Scores a goal 3U
Sergio Ramos scored +800
NBA
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers Game 6:
Cavaliers Team Total First Half Over 51
Cavaliers Team Total Game over 104
Warriors vs Rockets Game 6
Warriors -3 First Quarter
Warriors -6 First Half
Warriors Team Total Over 112 Game
UFC
Stephen Thompson +112
For any questions or comments reach me @JerryBoKnowz on Twitter
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