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Tag: Real Madrid

  • UEFA Champions League Final | Real Madrid primed to regain European crown

    UEFA Champions League Final | Real Madrid primed to regain European crown

    Real Madrid look to win a 15th European Cup on Saturday evening, as they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in the UEFA Champions League final.

    A first final in London since 2013, the finale also sees BVB make their way to the Home of Football, 11 years on from their last visit against Bayern Munich.

    Repeatedly confounding the bookies this term, Marco Rose’s men look for their first trophy since the 2021 DFB-Pokal and their second European Cup since that famous Munich night in 1997, beating Juventus 3-1.

    Can Dortmund once again defy the odds and claim a second Champions League trophy, or will Real Madrid continue their grip on ‘Ol Big Ears’?

    Real Madrid dominance

    For Real Madrid, though a first final in London it may be, Saturday will be the 19th time Los Blancos have played in a European finale.

    Holding a win-loss tally of 14-5, Madrid boast a stunning percentage win of just under 74% of finals.

    Having surrendered their crown to Manchester City last season, Madrid look to get back what has been almost their own since 2014 – it would be their sixth European Cup in a decade.

    The story of their campaign has been the remarkable form of Jude Bellingham, linking up with Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr to form a potent offense.

    Yet it took a late, late brace from substitute Joselu to stun Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and book their final spot.

    For Bellingham, just days before he heads off to the England camp ahead of Euro 2024, this will be a special night on home soil.

    And for certain, the Birmingham boy will be a central figure on Saturday night.

    Surprise package

    Their opponents Dortmund have been produced something of a turn up this season, not least reaching this year’s finale.

    Punters would have fetched a tidy price placing their faith in the Germans, after being in the same side of the draw as Inter, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain.

    However, despite facing tall odds, BVB eliminated them all.

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    Knocking out the reigning Italians champions on penalties, a narrow aggregate victory over Los Rojiblancos followed.

    Then in the last four, PSG stood before them, but courtesy of Niclas Fullkrug and Mats Hummels goals, Dortmund progressed, impressively without conceding.

    Having proved they can mix it both in attack and defense when needed, Marco Rose’s men have been a revelation.

    Alas, they now face the sternest task of all, against the greatest Club side in the history of European football.

    Betting

    Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are pretty hot favourites to come out on top, at a best price of 13/20 with William Hill, with Dortmund 5/2 with 888sport to lift the trophy.

    In terms of value punts, Dortmund’s defence has shone in Europe this term and after shutting PSG out, can they do the same to Los Blancos?

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    Therefore, we might ponder a small punt on UNDER 2.5 goals at a better-than-evens 59/50, whilst the braver bettors can go for an unlikely UNDER 1.5 goals at 17/5 both with Unibet.

    On the flip side, and to cover the goal angle, William Hill’s price boost of 5s from 4/1 for Bellingham to score in 90 mins, Real Madrid to win and both teams to score, looks pretty inviting.

    Borussia Dortmund face Real Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday evening, kick-off 8pm UK time.

  • Football transfer rumours: Man Utd to sell EIGHT players

    Football transfer rumours: Man Utd to sell EIGHT players

    The summer transfer window is gaining momentum and football transfer rumours today showcase some top clubs like Man Utd, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid making quick decisions on their players. Many other top clubs across Europe are looking to strengthen their squads and today we at BestofBets bring you some of the biggest transfer rumours circulating in the media. Please note the source of each of the football transfer rumours has been mentioned in brackets.

    Football transfer rumours today:

    Bayern Munich are looking to add a player in their bid to sign Barcelona winger Raphinha, however it is equally important to note that the player isn’t Joshua Kimmich. (Fichajes)

    Donny van de Beek could leave Manchester United this summer in search of regular game time as a result of his frozen time at the club. (Fabrizio Romano)

    AC Milan want to sign Chelsea star Christian Pulisic. The American wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer (Relevo)

    Manchester United want to sell as many as eight players in this summer’s transfer window including Anthony Martial, Dean Henderson, Fred as well as Scott McTominay (Mirror)

    Lille starlet Timothy Weah is on the verge of completing an £8.6m move to Juventus. (Goal)

    Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-Min is another likely candidate for a move to Saudi Arabia in 2024. (Ben Jacobs)

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr are offering Wilfried Zaha a three-year contract worth £45m. Another key point is that Atletico Madrid has been interested along with “three other Champions League clubs” as long as he wants to leave. (The Guardian)

    Chelsea lead Manchester United in the highly publicized race to sign Neymar. The Blues have apparently opened talks is another key point reported by the media. For the purpose of outrageous rumours, Lionel Messi has been linked with “two undisclosed offers” from Premier League clubs. (The Guardian)

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  • Harry Kane latest: Real Madrid 7/4 to seal swoop

    Harry Kane latest: Real Madrid 7/4 to seal swoop

    Just over a week since the end of the Premier League season, the arrival of June has seen the transfer rumour mill kick into gear.

    When it comes to Harry Kane, speculation is a mere footnote to this period.

    However, this year could be different and Real Madrid have reportedly come calling.

     

    Spurs’ new era

    As Tottenham continue their search for a new manager, Ange Postecoglou is now favourite to take the reins.

    However, Kane may not be part of the ‘Ange era’.

    Having frequently pledged his loyalty to the club in recent years, the Lilywhites now have a problem.

    After Spurs slipped out of the top-four once more, Champions League football is no longer on the table.

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    For Kane, having become the first player to score 30 goals during two separate seasons in the 38-game Premier League era, he remains trophyless.

    Fresh from becoming Tottenham’s all-time top scorer, Kane currently sits on 213 Premier League goals, just 47 behind Alan Shearer‘s all-time record in the top-flight.

    Still only 29, he looks destined to not only break but smash that tally.

    However, Los Blancos could attempt to throw a spanner in the works.

     

    Ancelotti keen

    Having lost their Champions League crown and also seeing Barcelona claim the La Liga crown, the Spanish capital club are at a crossroads.

    Seeing talisman Karim Benzema play his final game at home to Athletic Club on Sunday, Los Blancos are seeking a new star number nine.

    If reports are believed, Madrid want that to be Kane.

    The major stumbling block could be Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wanting at least £100million for his star asset.

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    As reported by BBC Sport however, Guillem Balague explained the Spanish outfit are set to offload the likes of Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz.

    That would tot up to around £66m in fees and wages but Madrid would still struggle to afford a deal.

    Even then would he leave England and put his quest to become the Premier League’s record scorer on hold?

    But surely Kane couldn’t turn down a big move to Madrid and the promise of silverware?

    BetUK have a move as short at 7/4 to happen.

     

    Levy preference

    A move away from England for Kane would be the preferred option for Levy.

    Letting Kane depart for Iberia would avoid strengthening direct rivals but how likely is it?

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    Whatever the case, with Kane’s £200,000pw deal set to expire next summer, decisions will have to be made.

    Manchester United continue to be linked also, whilst Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel still have an interest.

    But for now, it appears that Spain could be in Harry Kane’s near future.

  • Players who returned to haunt their former clubs

    Players who returned to haunt their former clubs

    As fans, we get attached to every player at the club we support and when that favourite player of ours leaves the club, a part of us leaves with them, but what happens when that same player plays for another club to defeat our club? It’s crushing! Today, BestofBets take a look at some top players who returned back with rival teams to haunt their former clubs, as they scored and led their teams to famous wins!

    Players who returned to haunt their former clubs

    1. Eric Cantona:
      After leading Leeds United to a Premier League title in 1992, Eric Cantona infamously made a move to Manchester United to create a dynasty in English football.
      On his first return back to Elland Road for with his new team, Cantona was fined £1,000 by the FA for spitting at home fans.
      In 1996, Cantona scored in the final minutes to help Manchester United claim a 4-0 win over Leeds with the Frenchman ending up celebrating right in front of Leeds’ Kop.
    2. Denis Law:
      Part of the iconic Holy Trinity at Manchester United alongside George Best and Bobby Charlton, an ageing Denis Law joined Manchester City towards the end of his career in 1973, but he did make a historical contribution to the Blues’ history, scoring one of his most famous goals in his career. That goal was one of the reasons for Manchester United’s relegation that season.
    3. Frank Lampard:
      Chelsea legend Frank Lampard left the club for a stint in the MLS before returning back to the Premier League with Manchester City on a loan in 2014.
      Lampard bagged a late equaliser for City when Chelsea visited the Etihad in 2014.
    4. Andrea Pirlo:
      One of the greatest midfielders of all time, Andrea Pirlo started out at Inter Milan, but wasn’t seemed quality enough before moving to AC Milan. There, he created history and rose to the level of the best midfielder in world football.
      After a decade in Milan, he joined Juventus as a free agent and took his game to the next level. Pirlo made both Inter and AC Milan look foolish when he led Juventus to four successive Serie A titles.
    5. Emmanuel Adebayor:
      Remember that incident when Emmanuel Adebayor scored for Manchester City against his former team Arsenal and ran the full length of the Etihad Stadium pitch to celebrate by sliding on his knees in front of the Gunners’ fans?
      Arsenal fans hate him to this day. Enough said!
    6. Cesc Fabregas:
      When Arsenal rejected the chance to re-sign Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona, Jose Mourinho brought him to Chelsea and he helped the Blues win the league title, which included provided a match-winning assist for Diego Costa in his first game against Arsene Wenger’s men.
    7. Cristiano Ronaldo:
      Manchester United let go of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009 and throughout his spell at Los Blancos, he got the chance to play against his former club in five competitive games. He scored in both legs as Real Madrid knocked the Red Devils out of the Champions League round of 16 in 2012-13.
    8. Robin van Persie:
      Dutch striker Robin van Persie became “villain number 1” at Arsenal when he decided to join Manchester United as he wanted to win a Premier League title.
      Van Persie scored twice against Arsenal in his first season at Old Trafford, but he didn’t go on to celebrate any of those two goals.
      However, Arsenal fans continued to boo him and the next time he arrived at the Emirates and scored, Van Persie intentionally celebrated in front of the Gunners fans.
      The Dutchman, eventually had the last laugh as he went on to win the Premier League.

      You can check more of our content like this on BestofBets’ football section.

  • Real Madrid vs Liverpool Champions League round of 16 second leg preview, where to watch, probable XI and prediction

    Real Madrid vs Liverpool Champions League round of 16 second leg preview, where to watch, probable XI and prediction

    Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday night.

    The Reds come into this game in the most confused state of mind, much like their season, as they lost to Bournemouth, who sits in 20th place in the Premier League table, in their last game after beating Manchester United 7-0 in the game before.

    Real Madrid, meanwhile, are nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga and once again, the Champions League is what they will target for this season.

    Best of Bets takes a look at the preview of this game.

    Real Madrid vs Liverpool match details:

    Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

    Location: Madrid, Spain

    Date: Wednesday, March 15

    Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

    Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)

    VAR: Marco Fritz (GER)

    Record in the last five games (Latest game first)

    Real Madrid: WDLDW
    Liverpool: LWWDL

    Real Madrid vs Liverpool Head to Head record

    Games played: 10
    Real Madrid wins: 6
    Liverpool wins: 3
    Draws: 1

    How to watch Real Madrid vs Liverpool in the UK

    The game will be shown live on BT Sport 1, BTSport.com, BT Sport App, BT Sport Ultimate

    Real Madrid probable XI vs Liverpool

    Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.

    Liverpool probable XI vs Real Madrid

    Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.

    Real Madrid vs Liverpool score prediction

    Los Blancos come into this one in a positive frame of mind and would look to add more insult to injury to the Reds. We think Carlo Ancelotti’s men will claim a 4-1 win over the Reds at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

    For more information and in-depth coverage, please head to Best of Bets’ football where you will find extensive coverage of all football games including Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and much more.