Italian And Spanish Soccer Giants Clash And Bet365 Is Your Best Bet For All The Action

On Saturday 3^rd June, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the eyes of world football will be on two of the biggest names in the game; Italian legends Juventus and Spanish aces Real Madrid as the two of them clash in the UEFA Champions League Final – the biggest club game in world football.

And you can catch all of the great betting action on this massive sporting event with Bet365 Sport’s outstanding betting service, including Live In Play betting as well as a host of top markets.

In this article, we are going to take a look at both of the teams competing in Wales on that weekend before we bring you a special tip for the game itself, including all the latest odds available from Bet365 Sport.

Let’s begin by taking a quick look at each of the sides contesting the final, how they got to Cardiff, what their relative strengths and weaknesses are and what their probable line ups will be for the match, which kicks off at 7.45pm in the evening.

The Key Stats – Juventus

League Position – 1^st (Champions of Serie A)

Serie A Record – P37 W28, D4, L5 F75 A26 Pts88 (+49)

Leading Scorer – Gonzalo Higuain – 37 appearances, 24 goals

Manager – Massimiliano Allegri

Champions League – How Juventus Reached the Final

• Group Stage – Match 1 – Juventus 0-0 Sevilla
• Group Stage – Match 2 – Dinamo Zagreb 0-4 Juventus (Pjanic 24, Higuain 31, Dybala 57, Alves 85)
• Group Stage – Match 3 – Lyon 0-1 Juventus (Cuadrado 76)
• Group Stage – Match 4 – Juventus 1-1 Lyon (Higuain 13 Pen)
• Group Stage – Match 5 – Sevilla 1-3 Juventus (Marchisio 45, Bonucci 84, Mandzukic 90)
• Group Stage – Match 6 – Juventus 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb (Higuain 52, Rugani 73)
• Round of 16 – 1^st Leg  – FC Porto 0-2 Juventus (Pjaca 72, Alves 74)
• Round of 16 – 2^nd Leg – Juventus 1-0 FC Porto (Dybala 42 Pen)
• Quarter Final – 1^st Leg –  Juventus 3-0 Barcelona (Dybala 7,22, Chiellini 55)
• Quarter Final – 2^nd Leg – Barcelona 0-0 Juventus
• Semi Final – 1^st Leg – Monaco 0-2 Juventus (Higuain 29,59)
• Semi Final – 2^nd Leg –  Juventus 2-1 Monaco (Mandzukic 33, Alves 44)

Leading Champions League Scorer: Gonzalo Higuain – 11 appearances, 5 goals

Juventus Strengths

Juventus main strengths are without doubt the best defensive backline in the competition, who have conceded just 3 goals in the 12 games the team has played in the tournament thus far. They also have a very dangerous goalscorer in Gonzalo Higuain and the hugely creative influence of Pablo Dybala sitting a little deeper. Their key man in midfield is Miralem Pjanic who knits defence with attack quite beautifully while also being one of European football’s best deadball experts.

Juventus Weaknesses

Juventus have very few weaknesses and are arguably the most well-rounded team in the entire Champions League. If there is a weakness then it is a lack of pace in defence, but they tactically adapt to that by playing deeper and having the two central midfielders and wing backs cover back to help out in defence.  They are a very experienced team and age could be a factor, especially if this goes to extra time.

Juventus Probable XI (3-4-2-1): Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Dani Alves, Alex Sandro, Khedira, Pjanic, Mandzukic, Dybala, Higuain.

The Key Stats: Real Madrid

League Position – 1^st (Champions of La Liga)

Serie A Record – P38 W29, D6, L3 F106 A41 Pts93 (+65)

Leading Scorer – Cristiano Ronaldo – 29 games, 25 goals

Manager – Zinedine Zidane

Champions League – How Real Madrid Reached the Final

• Group Stage – Match 1 – Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Lisbon (Ronaldo 89, Morata 90)
• Group Stage – Match 2 – B.Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo 17, Varane 68)
• Group Stage – Match 3 –  Real Madrid 5-1 Legia Warzaw (Bale 16, OG 19, Asensio 37, Vazquez 68, Morata 84)
• Group Stage – Match 4 – Legia Warzaw 3-3 Real Madrid (Bale 1, Benzema 35, Kovacic 85)
• Group Stage – Match 5 – Sporting L 1-2 Real Madrid (Varane 29, Benzema 87)
• Group Stage – Match 6 – Real Madrid 2-2 B.Dortmund (Benzema 28,53)
• Round of 16 – 1^st Leg  – Real Madrid 3-1 Napoli (Benzema 18, Kroos 49, Casemiro 54)
• Round of 16 – 2^nd Leg – Napoli 1-3 Real Madrid (Ramos 51, OG 57, Morata 90)
• Quarter Final – 1^st Leg –  Bayern Munich 1-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo 44,77)
• Quarter Final – 2^nd Leg – Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich AET (Ronaldo 76, 104, 109, Asensio 112)
• Semi Final – 1^st Leg – Real Madrid 3-0 Atletico Madrid (Ronaldo 10, 73, 86)
• Semi Final – 2^nd Leg –  Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid (Isco 42)

Leading Champions League Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo – 12 Games , 10 Goals

Real Madrid Strengths

Real have an outstanding and freescoring attack which is based around giving Cristiano Ronaldo as many goalscoring opportunities as possible. With Benzema, Modric, Kroos and Isco providing most of his chances, the Portuguese ace has shone in the latter stages of the competition, almost singlehandedly bringing the team through their last two games with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid. He’ll need to be as good again against a brilliant Juventus defence in Cardiff.

Real Madrid Weaknesses

At times during their Champions League campaign this year, Real have been found wanting defensively, notably against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at home and also in their second leg away at Atletico in the semi final. They are also hugely reliant on the form and well-being of main man Cristiano Ronaldo whose eight goals across the four quarter and semi final games were crucial in Real reaching their third final in four years.

Real Madrid Probable XI (4-3-1-2): Navas, Carvajal, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo

The Best of the Champions League Final Betting at Bet365

Match Result Odds:  Juventus to win 19/10, Draw 11/5, Real Madrid to win 6/4

As you can see the bookies have this as a very close game with Real Madrid the slight favourites to shade it. The teams last met back in the 1997 Champions League final with a single goal from Predrag Mijatovic enough to win the game for Real Madrid. It could well be a single goal that decides this and the question is will it be Juventus’ defence that blunts Real’s attack, or will Real’;s attack be too strong for Juve’s ageing back line? The answer to that question will likely decide the winner.

Our Tip: We think this is too close to call so extra time may be required. Back the draw here at 11/5.