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Town rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will meet in the Champions League final for the second time in three years, with Real considered a 2.55 slight favorite to win in regular time. Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milano will host the final.
Real made a great comeback to fight for the La Liga title until the last round, but they eventually finished second behind Barcelona. The team is playing well lately under Zidane, posting 9 wins and 1 draw in the last 10 matches. The level of football is good, even though many of the recent victories were hard fough and some weaknesses were shown. Real is sweating over the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo, who suffered an injury in training and is questionable for the final – though he will likely play.
Atletico Madrid ended up third in La Liga, blowing their title shot by losing to Levante in the second to last round. However, this team has been in brilliant form this spring, being able to knock out Barcelona and Bayern Munich from the Champions League, a massive, massive achievement. Atletico’s defense is hands down the best in Europe, their last 7 wins came with a clean sheet and Atleti will they can beat Real if they defend at the same level.
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Team news & lineups:
While Atletico Madrid can field the best lineup, Real Madrid suffered a huge blow with Ronaldo getting injured in training. He`s uncertain for the final but even if he starts, he`s not expected to be 100% fit. Otherwise, Real only misses Varane.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Luis – Niguez, Koke, Gabi, Augusto – Torres, Griezmann
Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo – Kroos, Casemiro, Modric – Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
This actually seems easier for Atletico than the quarterfinals or the semifinals and that`s mainly because they own the Head 2 Head against Real Madrid. Styles make matches and fact is that Atletico lost just twice to Real in the last 12 matches and one of those losses was in extra time – in the UCL final two years ago, for which Atletico wants revenge. Simenone knows how to play against Real Madrid and this Head 2 Head matchup will be a big advantage for Atleti.
Expect a close, low scoring game, with Atletico’s defense frustrating Real Madrid and I can see Simeone’s side scoring the winning goal on a counterattack sooner or later. If Ronaldo is not fit, Atleti’s mission will obviously be easier and I reckon they would become favorites.
In my eyes, Atletico looked like the favorite to win the trophy after knocking out Barcelona and I see no reason to change my view. Defense and tactics win usually win these kind of matches and Atletico is better in both categories. My tip is Atletico Madrid to lift the trophy. I have confidence that Atleti will pull it off, but I will invest no more than medium stakes here because of my dreadful recent form. Prediction: Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid 0-0 (0-1 extra time).
Pick: Atletico Madrid to lift the trophy
Odds: 2.16 @ Unibet
Stake: 6
Possible profit: 6.96
Event date: 28 May
