Real Madrid vs. Juventus and Pick to Win
Date:Saturday, June 3rd, 2017
Where: UEFA Champions League Final – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
by Keith, Professional Soccer/Football Handicapper, Predictem
Match Odds: Real Madrid (In First 90) 7/4, Juventus (In First 90) 2/1, Draw (In First 90) 21/10
Moneyline: Real Madrid (In First 90) +175, Juventus (In First 90) +200, Draw (In First 90) +210
OVER 2 5/4 (+120)
The 62nd European Cup will features two of the titans of world football, Real Madrid and Juventus. Juvenus enters as the reigning Serie A champion after they topped the table yet again in their 2016/17 campaign. Juventus finished with 91 points, just four points ahead of Roma who was hot on their heels with Roma trailing right behind them. Real Madrid enters as well with yet another La Liga title to their credit in 2016/17 efforts, edging out super team Barcelona by three points down the back stretch to earn yet another trophy. Both of these teams are regarded as the premier sides in their respective countries (Spain and Italy) and Madrid has won 12 Champions League titles already in this competition. With respect to these situations, the Spanish side are likely forecasted to win this one yet again but Juventus has the full capability of threatening Real Madrid.
Real Madrid is a team that needs no introduction. They have the likes of Ronaldo and Bale in their roles and they are managed by a legend in boss, Zidane who has won this title as a player of the team in 2012 and as manager in 2016. Next to Manchester United, Real Madrid could easily be the most recognized name in Europe and thus they often subject takers to a premium by namesake alone.
Juventus is offered as a tantalizing option. To the eyes of many, this is a walk in the park for Real Madrid as they were here just last year against cross-city rival Atletico Madrid. The Vikings were taken to overtime in a 1-1 draw before Atletico would fall to Real in an instant classic. Given their experience in this game and their expertise in winning the competition, Juventus seems to be outmatched as good as they are. But then again stranger things have happened. Arsenal defeated English Premier League champion Chelsea in the FA Cup in the previous week as a pooch that was taking back odds around 3:1. Arsenals boss Arsene Wenger likely saved his job given the fact Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League, missing the competition by a point. However, he was successful in collecting the third FA Cup plate for the Gunners in four years, demonstrating the teams supremacy in domestic markets.
We have always championed playing on value and when you get a team as good as Juventus for a price of nearly 2:1, you have to step in on that especially if seemingly the alternative has a ton of fanfare and an expectation to be overvalued. As we have frequented, when markets offer lofty numbers and the public smothers it that is usually a sign that it is bait and has a low probability of hitting. However, as stated public perception views Real Madrid as the better choice and generally the money has been spread across the table, fairly nicely here. With this being established, Juventus has two clean sheets to Real Madrids one in each teams previous three contests. Given the fact the odds for a draw and Juve win are nearly identical in the first ninety minutes, mirrored by the fact the book is certain that over 2 goals in this one seems a bit lofty, the expectation is perhaps a low scoring affair despite the two sides featuring many offensive weapons. However, the OVER 2 here is a fair price at 5/4 with a net of +120. It is likely that both teams will find the back of the net in this one as they certainly enjoy scoring. Given the fact, Juventus winning outright in the first ninety subverts prognostication, we will go ahead and step in Juve outright in the first 90 on what maybe a 2-1 victory overall. Both wagers stand to net 3.2 units if successful for the price of two units, overall.
Real Madrid Recent Form
W Malaga 2-0
W Celta Vigo 4-1
W Sevilla 4-1
L Atletico Madrid 1-2
W Granada 4-0
Juventus Recent Form
W Bologna 2-1
W Crotone 3-0
W Lazio 2-0
L Roma 1-3
W Monaco 2-1
Keith’s Prediction for the Game: JUVENTUS 2/1 (+200) and OVER 2 5/4 (+120)
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