Live on ITV: Sat 19.45: We’ve got a couple of selections including a 9/4 chance (Stan James) as we preview the Champions League final.
Atletico Madrid have enjoyed an incredible season, breaking the Barcelona and Real Madrid duopoly to top the pile in La Liga and Diego Simeone’s troops look to cap their remarkable campaign this weekend by adding the Champions League crown to their domestic title.
The performance in holding Barca to a draw at the Camp Nou to secure the Spanish championship, encapsulated Atletico’s incredible year but bookies don’t appear confident that Los Colchoneros can go to the well one last time as they tackle rivals Real at the Estadio da Luz, Coral making them 15/8 to ultimately lift the trophy.
Carlo Ancelotti’s charges are 1/2 at bet365 for European glory and evens with BetVictor to come out on top in normal time but that price, not to mention Stan James’s 7/2 about Atletico registering a 90-minute success, undoubtedly underestimates the underdogs.
Admittedly, Los Blancos were ruthless in putting holders Bayern Munich to the sword in the semi-final but Atletico finished above their neighbours in the league this term, defeated them at the Bernabeu and will come up against a Real team shorn of midfield linchpin Xabi Alonso. Subsequently, it’s dangerous to write off Simeone’s side, overpriced at 9/4 in Stan James’s ‘Draw No Bet’ market.
Skybet mark 5/2 against the showdown going to extra-time, Boylesports quote a score draw at 4/1 and it’s 6/1 courtesy of Winner.com to finish one-apiece. If the clash does indeed require an additional 30 minutes at least, then from there it’s pretty much anybody’s and punters anticipating a dramatic finish like that in the Europa League, can back both teams at 10/1 (Paddy Power) to triumph via a penalty shootout.
Potentially crucial for Atletico could be the fitness of top scorer Diego Costa, who has struck eight times in as many Champions League matches this season. The prolific front man has a hamstring problem but if he features he’ll be well backed at 13/2 (bet365) to break the deadlock.
At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo is an obvious first scorer favourite at 10/3 with bet365 and there’ll undoubtedly be money for William Hill’s 6/1 shot Gareth Bale. Coral meanwhile, offer evens for both teams to score and Simeone’s men are 7/4 at Ladbrokes to do so first.
Recommended Bets:
Atletico Madrid to beat Real Madrid ‘Draw No Bet’ – 9/4 (Stan James)
Both teams to score – evens (Coral)
Compare all Champions League odds and bet at the best prices.
