Liverpool will clash heads with Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday night looking to bounce back from their heartbreak against Real Madrid in last year’s final and lift the famous European trophy this time around. However, Spurs would feel like it is their destiny to hoist the trophy after their remarkable last-gasp comeback against AFC Ajax in the semi-finals.
Both teams will fancy their chances of coming away with a victory from the Wanda Metropolitano, which makes this contest a fascinating one.
Talking Tactics
Mauricio Pochettino will likely opt for a 4-2-3-1 set-up if Harry Kane is fit enough to start at Madrid. The Argentine head coach will also need to figure out a way to deal with Liverpool’s counter-pressing so that Spurs can find some joy going forward.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 formation but will have a dilemma in his hands on which players to start with at the centre of the park. The Reds have a plethora of options in midfield, but they might be inclined towards going with a hardworking trio in midfield to stop Spurs from dominating possession in the match.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs will be sweating on the fitness of Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Davinson Sanchez but they are all expected to recover in time for this European showdown. Pochettino might have a fully fit squad to choose from but might have some difficult decisions to make ahead of the final tomorrow night.
Tottenham Predicted XI
Hugo Lloris; Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose; Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko, Dele Alli; Christian Eriksen, Heung-min Son, Harry Kane
Liverpool
The Reds won’t have Naby Keita available for this clash as he is still recovering from his abductor injury. On a positive note, Roberto Firmino is back for Klopp’s side and will be available to lead the line for the Merseyside giants.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino
Key Men
Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane will be the centre of attention if he gets the nod to start for Spurs on Saturday. The English forward is coming back from a lengthy injury lay-off so he would have to hit the ground running as soon as he laces up to face Liverpool at the Spanish capital.
Both Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld will need to be at their best if the North London outfit are to stop the Liverpool attackers from scoring this weekend.
Liverpool
The front three of Mane, Firmino and Salah will be expected to do most of the damage up top. Virgil Van Dijk will once again be an essential piece of Klopp’s jigsaw as he looks to cope with the threats of Kane and Son at the back.
Odds
The bookies have made Liverpool the favourites to win this match as they are priced just under evens at 10/11. The draw is listed as 11/4 while Spurs are 16/5 underdogs to emerge victorious at the Wanda Metropolitano this weekend.
