The biggest match of the football season will take place on Saturday evening at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where Serie A champions Juventus take on LaLiga champions Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final. The two teams have last met in the semi-finals of the competition in 2015 and it was a tight affair, Juventus prevailed after a 2-1 victory at home and a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
Juventus have an unbelievable defensive record in this season's Champions League as they have conceded just three goals so far in the competition. However, history doesn't look too well for them: they have not won a Champions League final since 1996 and have lost six finals overall, more than any other team on the continent. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the big match, Marko Pjaca remains the only unavailable player.
Real Madrid can become the first team to successfully defend a Champions League title and they are the first trophy winners to have the chance of achieving this feat as only Manchester United in 2009 managed to reach the final after having won the trophy in the previous season. Gareth Bale has recovered from his injury but head coach Zinedine Zidane might choose to keep Isco in the side as the Spanish forward has been a decisive player in Bale's absence. Full-back Daniel Carvajal will most likely miss out through injury.
Probable line-ups:
Juventus: Buffon - Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini - Alves, Pjanic, Khedira, Sandro - Dybala, Mandzukic - Higuain
Real Madrid: Navas - Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo - Kroos, Casemiro, Modric - Isco - Ronaldo, Benzema
My prediction: 1-1 draw, Juventus to win on penalties.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Juventus win - 3.00
Draw - 3.10
Real Madrid win - 2.70
06/03/17, 10:06:18 PM
