THE Champions League final takes place on Sunday night from Lisbon. We asked the WLB stable for their views and best bets ahead of the big match between Bayern Munich and PSG.
Mark O'Haire (@MarkOHaire)
From a pure footballing perspective, this is arguably the most appealing final from the Last 16 draw. Two top-heavy teams who prefer to attack, score goals and entertain, it has the makings of an absolute cracker and that’s reflected in the goals markets where the line has been set at 3.5, and the market expecting 3.60 goals.
It’s difficult to oppose the high line with an anticipated humdinger ahead. An early goal for either side could lead us towards a basketball encounter and goal-heavy backers can be encouraged by 10 of the previous 12 knockout matches across both the Champions League and Europa League at neutral venues this month delivering a minimum of three goals.
But my preferred play can be found in the Same Game Multi by supporting back A Goal In Both Halves, Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score at a very appealing 3/4. It’s a selection that ticks all the boxes and should go very close to landing considering what’s expected from Sunday’s showdown.
- Prediction: PSG 2-3 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: A Goal In Both Halves, Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (3/4 Betfair)
Tom Love (@TomLove_18)
- Prediction: PSG 1-3 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: Over 1.5 Goals, 3+ Corners Each Team and 40+ Booking Points (1/1 Sky Bet)
Jack Lambden (@_JackL_)
Everything suggests that this will be a brilliant game so let’s hope it lives up to the billing!
Bayern have scored an incredible 115 goals in 35 matches under Hans Dieter-Flick and for my money are the best attacking force in world football. Lewandowski has scored in 10 successive games and with his supporting troops such as Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka in the form of their lives, PSG would have to put in their best ever defensive performance to force a blank from the Bavarians here.
On the flip side it’s hard to see Bayern keeping out Mbappe, Neymar and Co. The pair will both start here and surely benefit from such a high defensive line unless Bayern adjust from recent matches. Lyon were wasteful in the semi-final but PSG have that extra bit of quality here.
There’s question marks around Jerome Boateng’s fitness (although some would say that could actually benefit Bayern) but his leadership and experience at the back are important. He’s likely to make the final but may not be 100% fit, something PSG will look to exploit.
The corners element of this bet has landed in Bayern’s last four Champions League matches and with an end-to-end contest expected, at least one in each half from both teams seems realistic with the pace and directness each side has in wide areas.
In terms of cards, Italian Daniele Orsato has the whistle here. He’s averaged 6.6 cards per game in the Champions League this season and given each team at least one card in each of his THIRTY THREE matches so we’ve got the right man in charge and you’d expect cards given the nature of the match.
You can read Jack's player props analysis on the final here.
- Prediction: PSG 2-2 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: Both Teams To Score, 1+ Corner Each Team in Each Half & 10+ Booking Points Each Team (6/4 SkyBet)
Matt Kirby (@m_kirby95)
On paper, this could well be one of the highest-scoring Champions League finals in recent times. Bayern were lucky to keep a clean sheet against Lyon with the Ligue 1 squandering a number of chances. If the German champions play a high line once more, they’ll be punished.
This looks set for goals, goals, goals! And, I’m not usually one to get suckered into one of the bookies ‘Price Boosts’, yet Sky Bet’s Lewandowski (15) and Mbappe (5) both to score looks a nice way into the showpiece final.
- Prediction: PSG 2-3 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe both to score (7/2 SkyBet)
Jack Wright (@JackWright_BSB)
What a game we are in store for here, with something possibly more akin to a basketball match than a Champions League final!
PSG’s win over Leipzig was the more impressive of the two semi-final 3-0 victories although Bayern Munich didn’t really get out of third gear after starting the second half with a 2-0 advantage over Lyon. The Bavarians gave up plenty of opportunities however and with a similar high line deployed against Thomas Tuchel’s side you would expect Neymar, Kylian Mbappe et al to be less profligate than their Ligue 1 counterparts.
This has the makings of a “we will score one more than you” match up and I’m taking the Germans to prevail in a five-goal thriller!
- Prediction: PSG 2-3 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: Bayern to score in both halves (13/10 Boylesports)
Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984)
PSG at 12/5 (Gentingbet) is the bet. Simply put: they have Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. I don't think any side in world football possess the speed and skill that this PSG front two provide. As bad as Barca were, if Luis Suarez could run then he would have been in a couple of times early doors against Bayern. I don't see David Alaba and Jerome Boateng handling them. PSG and BTTS also holds appeal…
- Best Bet: PSG to win (12/5 Gentingbet:
Brett Curtis (@Brett_Curtis92)
As a neutral, I don't recall being as excited about a Champions League final as this one. Perhaps the World Cup-style nature to the latter stages of this year's competition has played a part in building momentum and interest, but I think it's more to do with the attacking quality of both sides.
I also think it's a lot closer than the bookmakers suggest – most have Bayern odds-on to win in 90 minutes – so I'm playing what I consider to be the value here. Lyon had an xG of 1.82 against Bayern and really should have taken the lead in the opening stages. Even though I expect Bayern's defensive line to drop a little, I still think Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will get plenty of chances on the break.
Moreover, Angel di Maria demonstrated against Leipzig precisely why he's the world's most under-rated footballer, and is one of the few wingers around who has both the discipline and energy to track Alphonso Davies whilst giving him plenty to think about defensively.
I've long held a sneaky feeling it's PSG's year in this competition, so I'll stick to my guns despite Bayern being the stronger collective outfit.
- Prediction: PSG 2-1 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: PSG to win and Both Teams To Score (15/4 Bet365)
Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole)
Although it's true to say Lyon could've scored two or three in the semi-final against Bayern, I still felt the Germans had another gear or two they could use, if required.
PSG were equally as efficient and professional in their semi. With Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to call on, it's hard to believe that they will be as wasteful as their fellow countrymen were, when the opportunities arise. It seems like sacrilege to expect a team to score two or three goals and not win, but, hey it's Bayern in opposition, and they've been irresistible of late.
It's really difficult to envisage anything other than goals in this final in Lisbon. Despite there being no fans in the stadium it should be a cracker, a real spectacle of a match for the millions watching worldwide. Bring it on!
- Prediction: PSG 2-4 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: Bayern Munich to score in both halves (13/10 Coral)
Harley Dale (@Harleeyy)
This match-up has the potential to be any scoreline with both sides attacking options full of star quality. A fast start is inevitable and both defences are expected to be kept busy for the full 90.
Hans Flick has been a revelation since joining in April this year and the German giants are looking back to their very best. Their squad has the perfect balance between ability and experience which I believe will be the deciding factor going into this match. I expect this Bayern side to nullify the attacking threat PSG possess through tactical and intelligent fouling like they did against Barcelona.
- Prediction: PSG 1-3 Bayern Munich
- Best Bet: A goal in each half, Over 0 Cards for both teams. and Over 13.5 PSG Free-Kicks (10/11 Bet365)
