Champions League Final tips – Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid UCL Final betting picks

Champions League Final 2023-24 preview

It all comes down to this, as Borussia Dortmund face off against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League Final.

At a neutral venue, Madrid enter this match as strong favourites to lift the trophy at -333.33 with Bovada, leaving Dortmund at +250.

Borussia Dortmund UCL Final preview

Considering they had pre-season odds of $35 with top soccer bookmakers to win the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund’s run to the final has surprised many.

Their domestic form has also been uninspiring, as Edin Terzic’s side finished fifth in the Bundesliga — their lowest finish since 2015.

Drawn into the ‘group of death’, they finished top of a section which included European giants Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle United.

They comfortably dealt with PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16, but a 5-4 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid in a seesawing quarter-final tie was their most impressive performance.

In their semi-final clash with PSG, Dortmund showed off their defensive class, allowing the Parisians to hold the ball and then hitting them on the counter to earn a 1-0 victory in each leg.

This is Dortmund’s third Champions League Final appearance; they were winners in 1997 and runners-up in 2013.

The same side that started both semi-finals is expected for this clash.

• GK Gregor Kobel
• LB Ian Maatsen
• CB Mats Hummels
• CB Nico Schlotterbeck
• RB Julian Ryerson
• CM Emre Can
• CM Marcel Sabitzer
• LW Karim Adeyemi
• CAM Julian Brandt
• RW Jadon Sancho
• ST Niclas Fullkrug

Real Madrid UCL Final preview

As the most successful side in Champions League history, there are no surprises that Real Madrid have made the final once again.

Searching for their 15th European Cup title, it has already been a successful season for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who won La Liga a few weeks ago.

Drawn into Group C alongside Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin, Real Madrid won every match of the group stage. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing in the knockout rounds.

They just got past a resilient RB Leipzig in the round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate win, while they beat defending champions Manchester City on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Facing Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, Real Madrid fought out a 2-2 draw on the road in the first leg. But they looked set to crash out after conceding a late goal in the second leg, before substitute Joselu was able to score two goals after the 88th minute to flip the match around and send Madrid to Wembley.

This match will be far less daunting for players such as Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric, who hold the record for most Champions League titles as players, while Ancelotti holds the record for most wins as a coach.

There are a couple of expected changes from Real Madrid’s semi-final team. Thibaut Courtois returns in goal ahead of Andriy Lunin, while Eduardo Camavinga is expected to slot into midfield in place of the injured Aurelian Tchouameni.

• GK Thibaut Courtois
• LB Ferland Mendy
• CB Antonio Rudiger
• CB Nacho Fernandez
• RB Dani Carvajal
• CM Toni Kroos
• CM Eduardo Camavinga
• CM Federico Valverde
• CAM Jude Bellingham
• ST Rodrygo
• ST Vinicius Junior

Champions League Final predictions

After finishing the season with the most points of any side in Europe’s top five leagues, it is hard to look past Real Madrid as favourites for this clash. They have a wealth of experience on the big stage and possess far more quality across the park. In a match where they are expected to dominate possession, back Real Madrid to win inside 90 minutes at -163.93 with top sports bookmakers.

Traditionally, Champions League finals are cagey affairs, with each of the past five going under 2.5 total goals. Dortmund finished both of their semi-final legs with 1-0 victories, but against Real Madrid, it is hard to see them breaking through with such low possession. If Madrid are able to score an early goal, expect them to sit on their lead, resulting in under 2.5 total goals at +110 with top UCL bookies.

Backing a goalscorer for this clash is tough, but no one on the pitch has a better resume than Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. Despite being injured for over two months, he has had a career-best season in front of goal, including two strikes in the semi-final. He scored the match-winner against Liverpool in the 2022 final, so back the Brazilian to score again at +160 with the best betting sites.

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