MADRID welcomes Liverpool and Tottenham for the Champions League final on Saturday night. Mark O'Haire (@MarkOHaire) has dup deep into the specials markets to bring you his favourite fancies from the sub-markets in Madrid.
Liverpool v Tottenham | Saturday 1st June 2019, 20:00 | BT Sport
I’ve provided a bumper betting preview of the big match in Madrid here but with time constraints, I wasn’t able to get a full feel for the various, abundant specials that bookmakers have produced to include in the original piece. Therefore, I thought I’d briefly share a couple of other fancies that have grabbed my attention ahead of the weekend.
Marking your card
Slovenian referee Damir Skomina has been handed the refereeing role. He’s averaging 4.86 cards per-game across European club competition this season – brandishing 34 yellows across his seven outings but yet to flash red. He did give the controversial penalty in Manchester United’s favour against PSG, one of two spot-kicks awarded.
There is a trend suggesting cards dip in showpiece finals, which is probably understandable, so I’m happy to overlook the regular markets and head straight to the players, where I believe both Harry Kane (6/1 William Hill) and Kieran Trippier (19/4 BetVictor) are worthy of interest to pick up a card.
Kane is Tottenham’s joint-most booked player in the Premier League this season with five cautions. Admittedly, his minutes per-card (485) return is relatively poor, although the fact the England skipper could be a touch undercooked and off the pace could work in our favour. The Spurs striker will be eager to make his mark and leads the press from the front.
If Mauricio Pochettino’s troops are in front, Kane may use his experience to adopt time-wasting characteristics, whilst it’s also worth noting that the Tottenham marksman averages over one foul per-game on Premier League duty this term, so he’s hardly adverse to be receiving ticking’s off from the man in the middle. It'll be a sweaty night in Madrid and 6/1 just feels a little too big.
Meanwhile, Kieran Tripper’s toils have been well documented. After a wondrous World Cup last summer, the Spurs full-back has struggled for consistency in 2018/19. Having been axed from England’s Nations League squad and reportedly considering his future at the capital club, he’s unlikely to be feeling at his most confident best coming into this clash.
The 28-year-old is rarely in trouble with the authorities, collecting just three yellows from 32 appearances with Spurs this season. Even so, he’ll be looking after the likes of Sadio Mane and potentially Mohammed Salah at times and will therefore be under major pressure. Trippier averages 2.50 tacklers per-game – the most of Tottenham’s regulars and a slight mistimed effort could easily result in a cation.
Trent too big to ignore
Elsewhere, Trent Alexander-Arnold appeals in various markets from an attacking point of view. To start with, I’m very happy to take a smidgen of odds-on that the Liverpool right-back attempts at least one shot from outside the penalty area on Saturday (19/20 Coral).
Alexander-Arnold is averaging 0.91 shots per-game across the Premier League and Champions League this season and fired in two attempts at goal during the meeting with Spurs at Anfield in March. He’s tried his luck in six of Liverpool’s last 10 outings, as well as 25 (64%) of 39 appearances across the two major competitions in 2018/19 – the bulk of which came from outside the box . He’s also on set-piece duty.
If that doesn’t float your boat, it could be worth considering Alexander-Arnold to assist a goal at 4/1 (BetVictor). His intervention against Barcelona hit the headlines at the semi-final stage but that was only one of nine assists in his last 10 encounters for the Reds since the start of April. He’s averaging 0.41 assists per-game during Premier and Champions League duty this season.
Best Bets
Liverpool v Tottenham – Harry Kane to be carded (6/1 William Hill)
Liverpool v Tottenham – Kieran Tripper to be carded (19/4 BetVictor)
Liverpool v Tottenham – Trent Alexander-Arnold to have a shot from outside the penalty area (19/20 Coral)
Liverpool v Tottenham – Trent Alexander-Arnold to assist a goal (4/1 BetVictor)
