The scene is set for the 2017 Champions League final, as Juventus meet Real Madrid for European football’s grand prize at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday night, live on BT Sport from 7.45pm. This one has divided opinion amongst fans and pundits, but the betting markets seem convinced on who will win the match, with Spanish giants Real Madrid priced as pre-match favourites, Ladbrokes’ 8/5 the general feeling going in to the week. If you’re looking to place a wager yourself on a mobile betting service, it’s worth bearing in mind that, despite Juventus’ formidable performance in Italy this season, Real are expected to get the better of them this time around. It rarely pays to oppose odds compilers, but how has backing the betting favourites fared for punters over the last 10 years? We look back at previous finals and what clues can be taken from the results. You may also find some of the tips reported by BettingNews.com to be helpful too! Also, different betting apps give out different rewards, so that it makes it more worthwhile to play. Some apps offer a free cash sum up-front to get you started with your bets so that you can see if you are enjoying this particular hobby. Other apps offer free betting bonuses, which means that you get more bank for your buck, making betting apps something that people should check out if they are interested in bets. Starting with the most recent renewal, and Real Madrid, the competition’s highest-ranked side in terms of trophies won, got their hands on title number 11 at the expense of city rivals Atletico Madrid, but needed extra-time and penalties to get the desired result. Followers of the form will tell you that has been the norm in recent years too, with three of the last five finals ending all-square – Madrid vs Atletico x2 and Chelsea vs Bayern Munich. Punters then must make a choice, is that statistic because there’s little between the Madrid rivals, or is it because the final is a typically nervy affair? Bookies don’t fancy another upset, which will be music to the ears of those who enjoy a casual punt, with most firms handing out 11/5 on the level finish. There may be a lot at stake when the top-two sides in Europe go head-to-head, but there has been no lack of goals during that time. Both teams to score has been, more often than not, favourite in the pre-match betting, and punters who have had their money down on the goals flying would’ve been celebrating a winner in eight of the last 10 years, and in each of the last six. Juventus were last seen at this stage vs another Spanish team in Barcelona during the 2014/15 season, but were well beaten on that occasion, their famous defensive safe blown apart in a 3-1 loss. Clicking yes in the both teams to score market would’ve seen you bank a winner with plenty to spare that year, settled after just 55 minutes. Rakitic opened the day with just four minutes on the clock, taking a 1-0 lead into half-time, Morata netting on 55. Coral believe that bet will come good again, and there’s 10/11 on both teams finding the net on Saturday. The trends give that as play of the day. Cristiano Ronaldo goes as betting favourite to score first this year, 7/2 with Coral, and it’s little wonder, with CR7 netting a hat-trick to put Atletico Madrid to the sword in the semi-finals. But picking the shortest price to break the deadlock wouldn’t have made you rich over the years. Defender Sergio Ramos scored first 12 months ago, Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic the outing before. In fact, the big names haven’t pulled their weight in that respect for a long time now, and strikers as a whole really don’t have much luck in front of goal. We’ve not had a forward player find the net first in any of the last three years. The lesson to be learned there – steer clear of the top of the market in the first goal betting. Great news if you’d prefer to take a couple at bigger odds and hope to land a winner at a nice price. What we can expect to see on Saturday night is probably best summed up best by looking at that famous final exactly 10 years ago – Milan vs Liverpool in Athens. We got goals aplenty that day, and even more drama. Both sides scored without much fuss in what was an open game – Filippo Inzaghi notching a double while Dirk Kuyt hit back to force a gripping last few minutes. Smarter punters will also be looking to boost their returns by using a betting offer such as these promo codes from Enhanced Bets. What leaps out the page as punters from previous results is three things.
- a draw is a real possibility, and looks worth an interest at a big price.
- Both teams will score, and we won’t see a nervy evening in front of goal. This is a meeting of European football’s two major teams after all.
- Don’t touch Ronaldo to score first. He is, by far, the best player on the park, but is also the shortest price, and past finals does little to inspire confidence in the favourite.
