Champions League final: Real Madrid vs. Liverpool – LIVE

Latest team news, predictions,

Latest team news, predictions, betting odds
and TV and live stream details

One-Minute Read

7.40pm: Ronaldo vs. Salah

So much has been written about the two star strikers on show
tonight: Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid. They certainly have
scored a few goals…

7.25pm (UK time): teams announced

There’s no place in the Real Madrid starting line-up for
Welsh star Gareth Bale as Zinedine Zidane picks Karim Benzema and
Isco to support Cristiano Ronaldo in Real’s attack. While for
Liverpool James Milner starts and the returning Emre Can is named
on the Liverpool bench by Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp.

Real Madrid team: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo,
Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema. Substitutes:
Casilla, Nacho, Theo, Lucas Vazquez, Bale, Asensio,
Kovacic

Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk,
Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Substitutes: Mignolet, Clyne, Klavan, Moreno, Lallana, Can,
Solanke

Champions League final guide and match facts

When and where is the final?

The Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool
takes place tomorrow at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev,
Ukraine. 

When does it start?

Kick-off is at 7.45pm (UK time).

How can I watch on TV or on a live stream?

BT Sport has exclusive coverage of the
final and will broadcast the match live on BT Sport 2 HD or on BT
Sport 4K UHD. BT will also show a free-to-air live stream of the
Champions League final via its app, website and YouTube channel.

Key battles and players 

Ronaldo vs. Salah

Not really a direct battle, but the key dangermen for both
sides. Ronaldo has 15 Champions League goals this season and Salah
has 10.

Attack vs. attack

Real can boast an attack including star striker Ronaldo plus
Bale, Benzema, Isco, Lucas Vázquez and Marco Asensio. Liverpool
also have their own talented frontline of Salah, Roberto Firmino
and Sadio Mane. Liverpool’s three forwards have a combined 29
Champions League goals this season, the Daily Star reports. Both defences will have to
be strong in Kiev. 

Milner a potential matchwinner?

Forget Ronaldo vs. Salah, the BBC says that Liverpool midfielder James Milner could
be the key man in the final. “Milner’s increased productivity in
the final third has been the most notable aspect of his Champions
League displays – he has gone from an assist every 588 minutes in
the Premier League to one every 99 minutes in Europe,” says the
BBC. “Despite Real Madrid’s proud European record, Milner may never
have a better chance to create goals for his team-mates in a final,
since the reigning champions are anything but secure
defensively.”

The rivals in Europe

Real Madrid’s Champions League
history

The Spaniards are the most successful side ever in the Champions
League (and formerly the European Cup). Real have won the trophy
a record 12 times and Cristiano Ronaldo is the competition’s record
scorer with 120 goals. 

Liverpool’s Champions League
history

The Merseysiders have won the competition five times. The club’s most recent Champions League
title came in 2005 when Rafael Benitez’s side beat AC Milan on
penalties in the “Miracle of Istanbul”. 

Champions League final predictions

John Toshack, former Liverpool player and Real Madrid manager,
speaking to the BBC: “With the players on show it has every
opportunity to be a classic. I’m just hoping it’s 90 minutes of
great entertainment and Liverpool lift the trophy at the end. My
heart tells me Liverpool but my head says Madrid.” 

John Barnes, former Liverpool and England player, speaking to
talkSPORT: “Of course we can [win], we’re
playing well, the Klopp factor is very apparent, Salah. But it’s
going to be a very difficult match.” 

Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail: “Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool. I fear
this may be where the dream dies for Liverpool. Unless something
dramatic has happened behind closed doors between Rome and Kiev, it
is hard to see Liverpool keeping a clean sheet and that leaves them
having to beat Cristiano Ronaldo & Co in a shoot-out. I would
be delighted – but very surprised – if they manage it.”

Dominic King, Daily Mail: “Real Madrid 1-3 Liverpool. There
is no logic to this prediction as, to be frank, how many Liverpool
players would get into Madrid’s starting line-up on Saturday. Two,
possibly three, at best? But I have had feeling for sometime that
Liverpool will win this competition and I can see Roberto Firmino
having a huge say in the outcome. Liverpool’s preparations could
not have gone smoother. Now it is time for the players to
deliver.” 

Steve McManaman, former Liverpool and Real Madrid player,
speaking on BT Sport: “To me, Liverpool just look stronger
and quicker. I take them to win a high-scoring match.” 

Matt Le Tissier, Sky Sports: “Liverpool’s front three can cause
Real Madrid plenty of problems. As good as Marcelo is going
forward, he’s not great on the back foot, and I think Liverpool can
exploit that. It would be a fitting end to the season for Salah,
Mane and Firmino to get on the scoresheet, and it would be great to
see an English team win it.”

Champions League betting odds

Latest best prices according to Oddschecker (as of 26 May).

Winner:

• Real Madrid: 13/10 
• Liverpool: 11/5 
• Draw: 14/5

Correct score:

• Draw 1-1: 8/1 
• Real Madrid 2-1: 19/2
• Draw 2-2: 11/1 
• Liverpool 2-1: 12/1 
• Real Madrid 1-0: 15/1 
• Real Madrid 3-1: 16/1 
• Real Madrid 2-0: 16/1 
• Liverpool 1-0: 21/1 
• Real Madrid 3-2: 21/1  
• Draw 0-0: 22/1 

First goalscorer:

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): 7/2 
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): 19/4 
• Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): 13/2 
• Karim Benzema (Real Madrid): 15/2 
• Roberto Firmino (Liverpool): 15/2 
• Moya Borja Mayoral (Real Madrid): 8/1 
• Danny Ings (Liverpool): 9/1 
• Dominic Solanke (Liverpool): 9/1 
• Sadio Mane (Liverpool): 9/1