It is that time of the year once again, when European club football is coming to an end, league and domestic cup winners determined, transfer rumours getting stronger; but most importantly, the UEFA Champions League final is played.
A total of 32 of the best European football teams started the journey back in October but only the best two will go head to head in the final to determine the Champion of the 2020/2021 edition.
Newly-crowned Premier League Champions Manchester City takes on FA Cup finalists Chelsea FC in an all-English final in Porto on May 29, 2021. Manchester City will come into the game knowing a victory will hand them their first Champions League title while Chelsea will fight to get their first major silverware of the season and their first Champions League title in 9 years and will come into the game on the back of a shock and scary 2-1 defeat on the final day of the Premier League.
Manchester City comfortably beat Everton 5-0 in their last game and given their form and quality going into the final, they are huge favourites to steal the victory over 90 minutes with BetYakata placing
them 1.86 to come out victorious.
Thomas Tuchel men will definitely cause problems for the Cityzens and are 4.55 to beat their rivals. The bookmakers have put odds at 3.55 for the game to go to extra time.
Odds are correct on Betyakata as at the time of publication
As at the time of this publication, Manchester City and Chelsea both go into the game with a strong squad. No suspensions, no injuries for Manchester City although Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy is doubtful after
sustaining a hip injury. Tuchel has however hinted that he is likely to be fit in time for the game. Although Ngolo Kante picked up a knock, he is on course to be fully fit before the game. Key man Kevin De Bruyne, despite his frequent injury problems, is set to be fit for the game. It is exciting to see both teams coming into the game with full firepower promising a cracking encounter.
Chelsea reached the final against all odds as they were hardly labelled favourites at the start of the tournament. However, they prevailed comfortably against tough opponents such as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and FC Porto in the knockout stage after coming out top of their group.
Manchester City also came out as group winners but can be said to have an easier route to the final after defeating PSG, Borrusia Dortmund and Borrusia Monchengladbach in the knockout rounds.
The Blues were lucky over the weekend after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the final game of the PL season and made top four thanks to help from neighbours Tottenham Hotspur who beat rivals Leicester City 4-2.
The game, which was originally scheduled to take place in Istanbul has been moved to Estadio Do Dragao in Porto due to COVID-19 problems.
Both teams have met on three separate occasions this season with the Blues coming out on top twice and Manchester City getting one win which was against Frank Lampard’s team at the start of the season. Hence, Pep Guardiola will be looking to get his first win against Tuchel in English football.
After so much criticism, Pep Guardiola will be appearing in his first Champions League final since leaving FC Barcelona in 2012. He will have to draft a strong tactic to go through the in-form Ngolo Kante who has a chance to win his first Champions League title making his career almost complete with just the Euros left to add to his trophy-laden CV.
It is not a doubt that despite Chelsea being a formidable opponent, Manchester City are favourites to walk away with the spoils and backing the Cityzens to not lose is a safe bet at 1.22. Chelsea have experienced a lot of disappointments in front of goal this season which was evident in the game against Aston Villa, but it is likely that this particular game will be end to end and Chelsea’s forward line will be presented with chances to bag a goal (1.58). It is placed at 1.98 for both teams to score.
SCORE PREDICTION: MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 CHELSEA
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