X
Skip to content

Flash:

Welcome to the BetUS soccer channel. I’m Flash. The occasion is the Champions League final. The venue is in Paris and the date is Saturday the 28th of May, 3 o’clock Eastern time, that’s 8 o’clock in Europe, 9 o’clock in some place in Europe. And we cannot wait because two of the most historical clubs in world football ever. And that’s probably why I said historical, is Liverpool versus Real Madrid or Real Madrid versus Liverpool. We’ve got so much to go through. We’re going to have a little look at all the odds. We’re going to look at the first half, the corners, the cards, anytime goal scorer, method of victory. So make sure you get yourselves in the chat and have an input. Also, we will have a Q & A before we do the official pick, but first of all, we are America’s favorite sports book, so we’d like to ask you to subscribe and get us closer to 10,000.

Flash:

It won’t be a long way off because we are in the home of soccer betting. Also, I’d like you to ring the bell and that means you’ll never miss any content again. And if you are on social media, please follow at Bet US TV because every platform, every sport that we cover, there will be some kind of guideline in there for you.

Flash:

Okay, from European soccer or football. It’s the queen of Serie A, it’s Mina Rzouki and from the Premier League and award winning owner of We Love Betting it’s Mark O’Haire. One of these two is going to be pro Madrid, one of them is going to be pro Liverpool. I’m just going to sit in the middle and basically hear the arguments. Mina and Mark, welcome. Mina, ladies first, what a final.

Mina Rzouki:

Oh my God. It is going to be so fantastic because I mean, I don’t know what to discuss in this because in my head, Liverpool is the most complete squad in Europe. You know, they only just narrowly missed out on the Premier League, but they took it so close. They’ve already lifted two trophies. They have a team that they can rotate with such ease. They’re so fantastic to watch. They have a plan A, a plan B, a plan C. They came out from the group of death and they’ve really showed you how valuable their squad is.

Mina Rzouki:

But then I look at Real Madrid and this isn’t a side that I think to myself is made up of excellence. I can honestly tell you most of the time I watch their games and it’s their ability to thrive under pressure. So it is that ability to thrive in chaos as well. So here it is, I think Liverpool are the best squad in Europe. I think they have one of the best managers in the world, but perhaps from a psychological point of view, from what Real Madrid has witnessed this season from highs and lows, they might just be on a mental level, better equipped for this final.

Flash:

Mark O’Haire, I don’t think anyone’s going to argue if you was to say that Liverpool were the best side in world football, through the performances they’ve put up, especially in the Champions League and obviously running Man City so close in the Premier League. But on the other hand, playing devil’s advocate, a lot of people are saying that Real Madrid’s name is on the cup because they should have been out of this competition two or three times.

Mark O’Haire:

Yeah, they should. I think each of the last three rounds of knockout football, Real Madrid have been second best, but they’ve managed to find a way. That’s football, that’s knockout football in particular. And at the end of the day, this is a one off game and anything can happen. I think we’ve all been around the block enough times to notice that the best team doesn’t always win, particularly in knockout football. So yeah, you have to bear that in mind.

Mark O’Haire:

For Liverpool, I think they were looking a lot rosier a couple of weeks ago, but a few key injuries have kind of raised a few doubts, but I think the good news really is Jürgen Klopp was talking on Sunday after the match against Wolves and suggested that van Dijk’s been on the bench the last two games, so he is fit and available if needs be, and he will be playing this weekend.Salah came off the bench and scored. Fabinho’s been training, he’s just joined back in with full training with the team this week as well. So those three are fit and available, but then goes and loses Thiago, is a big blow, really. He does set the tempo really in midfield.

Mark O’Haire:

But I know people have been talking about an element of fatigue with Liverpool as well, and I guess that’s understandable when you’ve played every game available to you across all competitions this season. But I just think, you’re coming into a Champion’s League final against Real Madrid. You’re not having to travel too far. It’s only across to Paris. You’ve had a full week to rest and prepare for this match. It’s the Champion League final. I’ll say again, you don’t need players to raise themselves to one sort of last horah if you like, and I’m going to be pro Liverpool, cat out of the bag, early doors there. But I think now the strongest suit, as you’ve mentioned their Flash, Real Madrid have kind of survived if you like through the last couple of rounds. And I think they will meet [inaudible 00:04:51] at some point.

Flash:

Okay, listen, it is so evenly matched. Let’s have a look at the numbers because I’m going to be mentioning numbers from you in the chat and what your selections are. So we’re going to have a little look at the full game odds first of all, because I think that these should be a bit closer, but Liverpool at plus 100, Real Madrid, a massive plus 260. Over or under two and a half goals with the over being at minus 135. Team total, Liverpool scored twice at minus 115. Real Madrid to score twice, a massive plus 175.

Flash:

Mina, take it away. We are going to start obviously with Real Madrid and what numbers on there do you think are not quite right, because if you fancy Liverpool, you’re going to get good money. And if you fancy Real Madrid, you’re going to get good money.

Mina Rzouki:

Usually finals tend to be tightly contested and you always think to yourself, there’s not going to be actually that many goals. But I think these two teams are very attack minded. I trust Liverpool’s defense much more than I trust Real Madrid’s, and yet I trust Real Madrid’s attack even more than I trust any other team in the world. So I think this will be a goal first. I think that when I look at this, there’s a part of me that wanted to take the plus 260, but that’s for the 90 minutes, right?

Flash:

Yes.

Mina Rzouki:

And that was why I wasn’t sure, because Madrid for me are a team that come alive sort of in the last 10 minutes of that game, take it to extra time, and then that’s when they try to wallop you. So you could go both ways with over one and a half for both teams, to be honest with you, because I do see a lot of goals in this match. I can see four goals in this match, whether or not they come in the 90 minutes though, that’s the only thing that would stop me.

Mina Rzouki:

I look at this team and I think it’s about the drama and it’s about the chaos. And it’s about how much Liverpool can maintain the discipline of the side, because as long as they play their game and they maintain a disciplined edge to this team and not let Real Madrid descend into chaos and try to bring down the whole game with them, then they can win this. But that’s what Madrid do so well from a psychological point of view, they have overcome the toughest of opponents because they know how to provoke and poke. And I think that what they’ve been through this season is much more than what Liverpool has been through in terms of only the Champions League, not everything else because otherwise Liverpool have been magnificent. And I think that perhaps they have learned tricks along the way on how to really try to shake the opponent ahead of them. But I think from a personnel and a physical point of view, it should be in Liverpool’s hands, so perhaps money line plus 100 is where I’d go for that.

Flash:

Okay, what about the draw then at plus 275, Mark O’Haire? Do we expect this to be really, really cagey? Remember, this is your first graphic. This is the full game Soccer odds. We will be having a little look at the halftime odds. And obviously then we’ll start looking into cards, corners, anytime goal scorer and method of victory. But Mark O’Haire, here you are pro Liverpool, so plus 100. I suppose you’ve got to be quite happy.

Mark O’Haire:

I am because they were minus money when the draw was made, they’ve drifted because of those injuries. And I don’t think the market has completely corrected itself with the news that van Dijk and Salah are probably going to play. Liverpool are a very different team without one of those, if not both of them. So if both were missing, of course there’s going to be a drift there. But yeah, I think I’m pro Liverpool, not just because of their ability and for all the reasons Mina’s outlined in terms of their squad and having Jürgen Klopp as a coach, but also the price, because they’re basically going off the same price as they were in the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley. And also not just that they’re the same price as Man City were when they went away to Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champion’s League tie.

Mark O’Haire:

And if you remember rightly, Man City were we’re leading the tie, so didn’t even need to win that second leg in Madrid. And the market’s telling you that Liverpool had got the same chance of beating Real Madrid in Paris as Man City did in Madrid. So, I know people in the market certainly suggests that Man City is a better team out of themselves than Liverpool, but I think most of us would agree that the gap is closed significantly if not completely over the past six months. So I just think in terms of the odds, there’s a bit of value there in Liverpool to win. And I also think it’s a point I’ve touched on a few times across the whole campaign really is just the dominance of the Premier League. Now this is over the last five finals, Premier League teams have filled six of the available 10 slots. Only two of those have been filled by LaLiga teams and Madrid on both occasions, there has been a power shift away from Spain towards England.

Mark O’Haire:

Obviously money’s been driving that, but also having that money’s been able to bring in that the best coaches in the world really as well. And I just think Liverpool has slowly but steadily built together a fabulous squad with so many different options. And in this competition, you get the opportunity to use five subs too. And I just think Liverpool have got a bit more about them, but I do expect them to win the trophy. I would be happy to take that plus 100, but without being completely disrespectful to Real Madrid as well, I think it’s worth bearing a mind, but when you see their starting 11, star quality experience character, they’ve got it all really.

Mark O’Haire:

But I think from a negative perspective, if you’re asked for Real Madrid’s best players this season, Benzema obviously, everyone’s going to say Benzema. Modrić’s brilliant. Vinícius matured wonderfully. Militão however formed a reasonable partnership, but if we’re being frank, I think Courtois has probably been their second best player this season, not just in Europe, but also domestically too. And I think that kind of goes to show that they’re not actually quite as dominant as Man City or Liverpool are. And how many times you’re going to let these quality teams off the leash, really.

Mark O’Haire:

If you look back to the last two ties against Chelsea and Real Madrid, the two Premier League teams generated and expected goals tally over 10. Real Madrid, just five. And I think they gave up five big chances in both of those ties as well. So basically 10 big chances went to waste from Man City and Chelsea. I don’t expect Liverpool to be quite so generous.

Flash:

Okay. Well, I think we like Liverpool at plus 100 for Mark O’Haire. I think Mina is liking the over two and a half at minus 135. I mean Real Madrid, double chance at minus 120 is another way to go. Remember I’m not hedging, I’ve got Real Madrid at plus 1900 to lift the trophy. I’m quite happy to go that way. Now then, so that’s us, we’ve sorted with the full game. Remember at the end, we’ll have a best bets graphic. That’ll be after the Q & A so make sure you’ve got plenty questions because I can see in the chat already that… We’re taking 1-1, there’s a lot of 1-1 out there. Some people think that there’ll be over one and a half goals in second half and that’s at minus 104. Remember Liverpool minus 150, just to lift the trophy.

Flash:

Let’s have a little look at the first half odd. So the first 35 minutes of action, as you can see there, Mark’s gone for the money line up plus 100. That’s good. Thank you producer for letting me know that’s happening, that’s tops. Okay, Liverpool plus 170 to be leading a half time, Real Madrid at plus 280. And this is where I think the draw may come in at plus 115, you expect end to end. I think that they might feed each other out. And if you know me, in a final, draw at half time, plus money plus 115. That’s where I’m going. Mina, who do you think strikes first? And if they do, who strikes in the first half?

Mina Rzouki:

Yeah, it’s an interesting one because I couldn’t figure this one out. So I stayed away from the first half, I bet on the second half. For me, Real Madrid are a better team at the second half because they’re dependent on a pragmatic coach, so when you are dependent on a pragmatic coach, then you are relying on his tactical adjustments. So this is him reading the game and then figuring out ways to try to close the gap if it’s a superior team and how to bring out the best in his own one. So that’s why for me, Madrid are much better in the second half. That would tell you and that would suggest that Liverpool would be the team in my feeling that would score first.

Mina Rzouki:

But I think when the pressure is on Liverpool can be a side that will feel it out, that we’ll see what’s going to happen and try to do something more in the second half. We saw that against Inter, we saw that against… Several times really when it’s been tough on them or when teams have defended against them. Real Madrid are not capable of really staunch defensive style of plays, so I don’t think there’ll be a problem there, which is why I think Liverpool could open the scoring, but if they do, then I put more money on Madrid winning it overall because of that comeback. So probably money line plus 170 is where I’d go. I think there’s more of a chance of that or it could just be a draw at plus 115, looks quite healthy and tasty as well.

Flash:

No, it does. Mark O’Haire, so let’s look at, do we expect more than one goal in the first half because one’s a push or do we see nil-nil in which case the plus 115 definitely comes in or we could go a little bit bonkers and say it’s 1-1 and then we’re looking at both teams to score in both halves.

Mark O’Haire:

Yeah. I mean, it’s a tricky one. I don’t tend to do many bets in the first half just because I don’t like losing my money after only 45 minutes. I’d rather the whole…

Flash:

Quite a safe bet in finals though isn’t it?

Mark O’Haire:

It is. I agree with you Flash about kind of almost blindly backing the halftime drawer and kind of opposing goals in a final. And the goal expectancy for this match has been set at 2.85 across the 90 minutes, which is high for a final. And it’s higher than the average goals for a game in the Premier League game as a quick kind of comparison, really. And I think, not just that the total goals, but you can look towards the total goals and find your kind of prices in terms of the halftime market.

Mark O’Haire:

And I look back to the start of the Champion League era. We’ve had 29 finals, 15 of those have featured at least three goals, 17 of which have seen both teams scoring with an average of 2.59 goals per game. So the market expects this match to be above average, but the last three finals have all gone under and all seen both teams to score no bank as well. So it’s an interesting one. You could easily see this game being a bit of a basketball type game, a bit of a shootout. But also I kind of probably would verge more towards your side Flash and say, it’s going to be tight and cagey to begin with at least. And therefore I probably look towards a halftime draw, rather I wouldn’t be backing over one first half goal personally, but it’s not really a kind of area I do much of my punting.

Flash:

Okay. Well, if you think you know the way this game’s going to go then Liverpool is probably going to go with higher press, Real Madrid are going to sit back in formation. I’ve actually… I’m really solid on this because I just feel as if it’s going to be a draw at half time at plus 115, but I wouldn’t put anyone of Liverpool, obviously stealing the ball and at plus 175, I’d rather go for that than the full game because we know that Madrid have come from behind against PSG, against Chelsea, and against Man City. So listen, they are a 90 minute side or a 95 minute side, but I’ve gone with a draw at half time at 115.

Flash:

Now then, let’s see if we can get a pattern of play here because we’re going to have a little look at the corners because this is an interesting market because the number looks low to the naked eye. The total is set at nine and a half and that’s minus 105 or minus 135. Mark O’Haire, do you fancy the over or the under?

Mark O’Haire:

I’d be more on the over side. I think corners are tricky at times because they can often be led by game state. Obviously if the game’s in the balance, there’s more likely to probably be an average number of corners. If a team’s trailing, they’re obviously going to be pushing and vice versa if they’re losing. So there is a bit of a kind of degree of randomness when you are betting on corners, but the totals over the last few Champions League finals kind of show that as well. Actually last season, we only had four corners between Man City and Chelsea and in previous tournament finals, 8, 17, 14, 2, 6, 14, 15, 14, 18. So in theory, six of those 10 saw a minimum of 14 corners and the overall average and across the last 10 features 11.2, so on that basis, the nine and a half lines been set a bit too short and Liverpool very much are a corner heavy team.

Mark O’Haire:

They play front foot aggressive football, pressing football, using those fullbacks very, very high, lots of balls into the box, Trent and Robertson in particular doing that. So they average over seven corners in both the Premier League and the Champions League this season. They’ve hit seven or more corners and four of their six Champions League knockout ties, only one out of two in Villarreal in the second leg. But you know, that was a different type of match.

Mark O’Haire:

So I’d personally be looking more towards the individual teams here rather than the actual total you can get minus 125 on Liverpool, over five and a half corners, which I thought was reasonable enough. Man City won nine when they played in Madrid in the second leg, they won five in the first leg. Chelsea force totals of 10 and five against Real Madrid. PSG won seven in the first leg. So I do expect Liverpool to do most of the heavy lifting. And if you do expect them to do that again here, you can actually back Liverpool minus one and a half on the corner handicap as well on Bet US at a reasonable price as well, I think it’s about minus 110, which basically gets you paid out if Liverpool have two or more corners more than Real Madrid in the match, which I think is fair enough.

Flash:

Yeah, it’s going to be one of those though, because both of these defenses, both all of the defenders, especially the central ones, they love a block. Keepers, they don’t catch so they like to parry. They’re both top draw keepers. I think the over, that minus 105, I think we see 10 corners. It’s not something that I’ve dived into, but the more I think about it is maybe you do it live, it’s available live at betUS.com. But maybe we get a slow start. That nine and a half comes down to maybe seven and a half. And then second half it really wakes up. So I wouldn’t be on the over four and a half, over five first half, but maybe over nine and a half, you might just get a couple of corners in your favor.

Flash:

Have we got any views, Mina here? Because again, the corners that means that we’re going to need to see attacking football. But both these sides apart from maybe Vini Jr, they always like to cut in and I prefer we get corners when they go on the outside.

Mina Rzouki:

Yeah, that is absolutely true. I do think that what you get a lot more in these types of finals when the pressure’s on is that you get no nonsense defending and sometimes it might just be let’s just do the cover thing and just get it out before having to put ourselves in. And of course you do conceive a corner, which is quite difficult sometimes to defend against. For me, in my head, the way that I thought about it is that I think that Vinícius Jr is somebody that provokes quite a few corners.

Mina Rzouki:

I actually bet on Madrid corners at this point. I’m firmly in the belief that Liverpool can get about seven. But I also think that Madrid can get about four. So it’s not those… Let’s say it is a little bit of a risk because you never know, like I said, it could just be that they do have a great goalkeeper and so they will take little chances and it will depend on how much of the ball Madrid will actually see to be fair. But I do think they can get more than three. This is about no nonsense defending. And when you look at the pace of Vini Jr, and up against Trent, I wonder what will happen and whether he’ll stretch wide or anything like that.

Flash:

And that’s not to mention, Benzema pulling the trigger with no back lift. I mean, he shoots on goal from when defenders are so, so tight, so deflections over the bar, keeper saves. Listen, I think that the over three and half, you’d almost make that. Mark O’Haire you got to see Madrid score, getting four corners in the game. That’s almost a banker at minus 110. You can build other bets around thinking that’s a certainty.

Mark O’Haire:

I wouldn’t describe it as a certainty.

Flash:

Four corners over 90 minutes in a game where you think that they’re going to be able to hit on the break.

Mark O’Haire:

You’d be surprised about Madrid’s corner totals themselves.

Mina Rzouki:

Yeah, they don’t get that many.

Mark O’Haire:

They only manage nine corners across four games against Chelsea and Man City, Flash. So even asking them to get four in the Champion League final while they are outsiders, it’s a decent enough.

Flash:

Well, they’re outsiders in your view. They’re not outsiders in mine.

Mark O’Haire:

They’re outsiders by the market, aren’t they. Massive outsiders.

Flash:

Can you make anything out of that? Do you not think they should be a little bit closer together?

Mina Rzouki:

Also, can I just point out that one of our reasoning’s behind why we thought Chelsea could win is because last year they did. Last year, Madrid won. And the final, Madrid won. So actually when you look at the last six matches, it’s kind of been Real Madrid heavy against these two sides. You know, this is pretty much the same team that defeated Liverpool last season. I know people will say, well, they had some issues with absences, but it was also Zinedine Zidane who’s more of a defensive nature. And this is Carlo Ancelotti who I would say is somebody who has been tremendous when it comes to these types of precious situations. So I feel like the odds are a little bit weird to a team that has won that many trophies.

Flash:

Yeah and also Mark O’Haire, I think that there’s massive strengths and weaknesses with both of these sides. I mean, I think Liverpool could get caught on the break in between that sort of right center half and Trent Alexander-Arnold going forward. And on the other side, obviously with Robertson going forward and also that big gap going in there. But if it doesn’t go in there, then Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are probably two of the most lethal weapons in world football as a tandem.

Flash:

I mean, this is a crazy game, but I see minus 110 Madrid getting four corners is massive. Okay, let’s move on to the next subject because I know Mark O’Haire, you love this subject. You love a little yellow, and if you can have a little tint of red thrown in there, then all the better, because we’ve got Liverpool over one and a half cards at minus 135. So we think we’re going to get two for Liverpool under one and a half cards is at minus 105. So a bit of a coin flip. Over two and a half cards, so if Liverpool to get three cards is massive at plus 275 and under two and a half cards, they’re saying Liverpool, don’t get three. Mark O’Haire, do you like Liverpool getting three at that massive price?

Mark O’Haire:

No. To be blunt about it, you know me Flash, I absolutely love my cards. I love card betting. The biggest disappointment coming to this final was the referee appointment, which is Clement Turpin, the French referee. He’s got this gig. He’s a poor official in my view. He’s definitely isn’t a punter’s friend. If you look into back overs in card markets, and in fact, I’d probably do the opposite to be honest. And look, it’s a Champions League final, in six of the last 10 finals we’ve seen no more than three cards in 90 minutes and I believe nothing official, but I just believe that there’s a directive from UEFA or whoever is in charge. Presumably it’s UEFA to ensure that these kind of big occasions don’t get ruined by red cards or major incidents.

Mark O’Haire:

Go back to the Euros. We saw loads of fouls, loads of players let off cards. And you know, football fans seem to enjoy that element, but from a betting perspective, it was a bit of a disaster. And you know, it seeped into this season as well. Look at the Europa League final last week with Rangers in Frankfurt. There could have been three or four cards in that first half, all of which were waved away, leniency was the order of the day, really. And I think when you have a reasonable referee in charge, which we did in the Europa League final and the way in which he kind of dealt with things that would worry me.

Mark O’Haire:

So Turpin is one of those who just doesn’t have the personality really to control games. And sometimes he does get [inaudible 00:24:19] by the occasion. So you’ll get weird patterns where he gives zero, one card, two cards, and then other matches where he gives a flurry and a load of red cards. He did Porto-Atletico in the group stage, which is a great example where he just lost his head towards the end and chucked out three reds. But, he did Italy’s exit in the World Cup qualifiers to Macedonia, a match where Macedonia were incessant, time wasting, gamesmanship the whole lot, really. And he gave one card in the whole game. There’s just no rhyme or reason with him.

Mark O’Haire:

So if we had a total card line for this match, which would be set around three and a half for this game, considering where the market is, I’d be going under. And just because it tends to be a trend now in finals to try and keep the low card count down and possibly opposing Liverpool cards as well, just because they don’t normally get them. So yeah, it’s quite dull really, if you’re looking to back overs, but I’d be probably going opposite way.

Flash:

Yeah. I mean, I don’t want to be contrarian here because obviously you are my card’s guru, but the big thing is when you have so much pace and the likes of Alexander-Arnold getting caught may bring cards. But we have to then say Mina, that there may well be a UAFA directive, because last week in the other final, which was the Europa League final, I mean, listen, I see a player have 20 odd stitches and a head wound and didn’t even get a yellow. So I’m wondering if they’ve been told, well under no circumstances do not be giving yellows in early parts of this game because you cannot come back from it. I mean the over two and a half at plus 275. If Liverpool… Listen, I’ll go with you Mark O’Haire. And also if you see corners up there, that’s because that was our last category. So again, when you’re looking back on this, you can go back and scroll across and we’re on cards, go back, and that’s where the corners were. Mina, you fancy yellows and maybe a little red?

Mina Rzouki:

Well, I feel like you have to have sort of a team that… I mean, when I think of cards, I think of teams that time waste or will look for edges in other ways, or have provocative members of the team. Atlético Madrid. But when I think of these two sides, I think that they will… Their game gets better with fluidity, they don’t want too many interruptions, they’re not necessarily provocative figures. I mean, I know perhaps Madrid a little bit more than Liverpool, but I see this as being a rather professional game. I do know that what Mohamed Salah said has been taped to the dressing room inside Real Madrid about him wanting to sort of level things out considering what happened to him. And I wonder if that’s going to provoke anything from any of those Real Madrid players, but I see this being a game that’s going to flow and two teams that really just want to win and convincingly.

Flash:

Yeah. I mean, listen, I couldn’t agree more. So let’s have a little look at any of the officials because I know that Mark O’Haire jumped on a price that has actually moved against because he was…

Mina Rzouki:

[inaudible 00:27:18].

Flash:

Mark O’Haire, what did you not have the under… Here we go, Liverpool under 1.5 cards at minus 105, are we still able to look at maybe some Madrid cards? Because if we fancy the Madrid are going to get a couple of yellows. I fancy there’s more chance of Madrid getting a couple than Liverpool.

Mina Rzouki:

Yeah, me too.

Flash:

Okay. Well, let’s have a look at this one then, because this is over one and a half cards, minus 210, but the over two and a half is at plus 170. So if you think we’re going to see six cards, three from each, you’re going to get massive value. Mina, who are the main culprits when it comes to Real Madrid picking up yellows? And we looking again at Sadio Mané and Salah, and we’re looking at them causing problems to the fullbacks, or we’re going to get the nasty veterans in midfield sticking their foot in.

Mina Rzouki:

Yeah, I mean, for me, I think it’s usually the players that are around the most amount of pressure. I mean, when you look at Camavinga and Mbappé, you sort of said a little prayer for him right at the time, right. And I feel like you’re going to have to say a prayer for him on this occasion as well. So it’s those… Casemiro will be very much required to show his strength in midfield. Again, possibly a lot of pressure on him as well to do something. But really those would be the two players that I would say are most inclined to actually get that. I don’t necessarily see it from Ferland Mendy, although I think the pressure will be sublime on him as well, but I think he will be able to handle it a little bit more.

Mina Rzouki:

But again, I don’t see over two and a half cards, so that’s why it’s probably at plus 170. I think they know where the line is and they don’t like to cross that, so this isn’t a team that has the Pepe’s and the Ramos’s. It’s a little bit different now because if you remember, or you’ll cast your mind back to the PSG game, there was a moment when they were hassling Rodrygo and they left it alone. They didn’t want to engage into a fight. And I think that shows you what the directive is from Real Madrid at least.

Flash:

Mark O’Haire, Real Madrid, main culprits and main candidate for picking up yellow, please.

Mark O’Haire:

The same two that Mina’s outlined. Carvajal for sure. I expect Luis Díaz to be on Liverpool’s left with Sadio Mané down the center and Salah on the right. And you know, that kind of really excites…

Flash:

No Jota, no Firmino.

Mark O’Haire:

No, that’s the front three, I think it will be. I mean, I might be completely wrong, but I think they seem to be Klopp’s preferred front three now. I think Díaz has done enough to get [inaudible 00:29:46], get that starting [inaudible 00:29:49]. And that really excites me, not the combination, but that jewel really against Carvajal. Carvajal was brilliant in fairness in the second leg against Man City, but you know, he’s been disappointing against Mbappé is a different story and Díaz is full of tricks, isn’t he? So that would be quite interesting. And yeah, obviously Casemiro in the middle. He went through a stage in his career, he was just escaping with yellows week on week. Whereas I think now with age, it’s kind of caught up with him. He seems to be getting yellows every other week now.

Mark O’Haire:

So yeah, I think he’ll be in charge of breaking up play and obviously will get himself into trouble at some point, whether he gets away with it or not. He did in the first leg, I think against Man City, bizarrely he managed to get away from a yellow card by just pretending he was injured for about five minutes. But yeah, again, that plus 170 looks like a big price and I normally probably would be looking at it, but just go back to the referee, Turpin, the Champions League final. I don’t think he’s going to be too keen on dishing too many out.

Flash:

Yeah. Okay. So basically on this cards section of the show, we’ve just got the one selection, which was Mark O’Haire’s, he’s going under one and a half Liverpool cards. We’re leaving Real Madrid cards alone and I think that was at plus 125, it’s now plus 105. I mean the money is really piled in, so make sure that you get over to betUS.com because the numbers… Remember we are doing this on Monday to give you five or six days to try and beat the market and to watch this back because there may be something else that moves in your favor and it gives you a chance to not rush in because the only people that rush in are fools. Okay, let’s have a little look at our next category, please.

Flash:

Anytime goalscorers. I know that a lot of people like this, it’s not just them four, but these are the main protagonists Karim Benzema at plus 130. Salah at plus 110. Diogo Jota at plus 150. Sadio Mané at plus 160. Can I have a little look at some other contenders, please? Divock Origi coming off the bench at plus 210. Firmino at plus 210. Luis Díaz at plus 210. And here’s the other one. Vinícius Jr at plus 225. Yesterday, Mina, he was plus 310.

Mina Rzouki:

Wow.

Flash:

We merely lost 30% of his value, plus 310 yesterday, now plus 225.

Mina Rzouki:

That’s crazy. That’s crazy. But it just goes to show. I wonder, because for me, I think they’re going to be both the tactical weapons in this, because Vinícius Jr and Luis Díaz for me are the two relentless cogs in this system. And I think they’re just going to be on a tactical level there to just keep going, to just keep provoking, irritating, pushing, moving the team further forward with… On a tactical level, you have to, when this player is relentless and those two have the energies for miles. So I like both of them, to bet on Vinícius Jr or Luis Díaz, but also there is a part of me that thinks they’re more delivers. You know, they are the ability to play in the final third, their ability to deliver the final third.

Mina Rzouki:

Personally, there’s one person I can always depend on and it is a player that I think should win the Ballon d’Or, so it’s Karim Benzema. When I saw the price, I was like, yes, I’m going to go for him because he is desperate for that trophy, desperate to show that he’s still the king. And now that we know for sure that Kylian Mbappé is not going there, he wants to make it up to Madrid more than anything that he can be the guy that can deliver whatever it is and they don’t need a superstar. So he is their own. So that’s the person I’ve gone for, but I know that you’re like Vini Jr.

Flash:

Of course, because I think he’s going to be an absolute weapon. And I’m going off of what happened between Liverpool and Chelsea in the FA Cup final. When Chelsea got in through that left channel and listen, Alonso could have had a couple, Pulisic could have had a couple and I just feel that’s a massive weakness because of Trent being on the front foot. But Mark O’Haire, there is plenty weapons that are going to be… Do we know what colors they are going to be wearing? Is it going to be Liverpool in red, Real Madrid in white as they should be?

Mark O’Haire:

I hope so. Yeah.

Flash:

Who’d you fancy to get a goal because the other one I wanted to throw in was, and this is a big price just for a bit of fun, is that from set pieces or from third man runs was Casemiro, a massive price.

Mark O’Haire:

Yeah. I think Real Madrid have a good opportunity at set pieces if van Dijk is missing. I think if he’s there, he’s such a great organizer, Liverpool should in theory be a lot stronger from dead ball situations. But I think the top of the market’s always interesting. Salah, to me is always a little bit too short. I know he is on penalties, which is an added bonus, but plus 110 is quite shy really for a Champions League final. Benzema at plus 130 is on penalties and set pieces or he’ll have a say in as well. So that’s always on your side, but I do prefer to do a bit more digging and Mané, I thought was interesting if he does play down the middle plus 160. But you know the bigger prices do appeal to me more if I’m having a play on the anytime goalscorer.

Mark O’Haire:

So Vini Jr, I think I really liked him, plus 310 as you had yesterday Flash. So I’ve gone down for Díaz at plus 210, same price as Divock Origi. And we know, Origi’s definitely not going to start so… And almost double the price of Salah. So I know he is not on penalties, but I think he’s added a different dimension to this Liverpool attack and I think, you know what you’re going to get from him really. He can play a real leading role. He likes to dig from distance when needs be, he’ll cut inside and take players on. Just a wonderful signing.

Mark O’Haire:

Just saw a lot of him playing in Portugal in the year and really liked him. Felt like it was a big move, but the way in which he settled into the Premier League has been wonderful, really. I actually think he’s being a little bit undervalued in those prices at plus 210, considering the goal expectancy of this game is quite high. Liverpool are at plus 100 favorites. So add it all together, I expect him to be below plus 200, but he’s not. So I think that’s a nice value price to be cheering on.

Flash:

Yeah. Plenty value. Let’s have a little look at all of us, because we’ve all gone for an anytime goalscorer just to put you in. Listen, it’s not inconceivable all of these come in. Benzema, anytime goalscorer at plus 130. Vini Jr at plus 225. I want to punch the screen to be honest, but not in aggressive way, just in a frustrating way, that it was 310 yesterday. Luis Díaz, anytime goalscorer at plus 210. I like Casemiro and I suppose you could also go for Konaté as well or van Dijk.

Flash:

Okay, now there’s the final bet, method of victory. What do you fancy? Because it’s Liverpool in 90 minutes at plus 100, as we know in four games. So let’s just kick on, Liverpool at extra time at plus 1000. Liverpool at penalties at plus 1100. Real Madrid, extra time plus 1400 and Real Madrid in penalties at plus 1100. Mark O’Haire if this goes to extra time, then Real Madrid at plus 1400. They saw off Man City and they saw off Chelsea in extra time.

Mark O’Haire:

They did, but I don’t know, it’s not something I would normally back on if I’m normally getting involved in this market type matches, which I expect to be quite close and competitive, which this game really should be in theory. I would rather back the draw in 90 minutes or I’d be backing either team or both teams really to win on penalties at plus 1100. I think that’s always a big, big price to cheer on rather than back the draw in 90 minutes. I can’t remember what the price it was.

Flash:

270.

Mark O’Haire:

Back both teams. I mean, it’s chalk and cheese, isn’t it? It’s one or the other. And surely you’d go down the plus 1100 route on both. I don’t back extra time. I hate extra time as a football fan. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s [inaudible 00:37:35], to go another half an hour. I’m gassed so I’d like to sort of switch off a little bit, but yeah, if I’m having a bet here, it’d be both teams to win on penalties rather than either or.

Flash:

Okay, before I go to Mina, remember to put the thumbs up, show a bit of appreciation to everyone, including my graphics team, who’ve gone absolutely bananas with all of these graphics. Mina, how do you see, or do you not like any of them or is it Madrid win? 90 minutes, is big price, plus 250 [inaudible 00:38:02] down has been maybe plus 210 top whack.

Mina Rzouki:

Yeah. I mean, for me the two obvious weaknesses are Dani Carvajal and Trent in a defensive manner. I think just because you’re facing Vinícius and obviously you are facing Luis Díaz, I think it’s going to be really tough. So I do see goals in this. Now, the way that Antonio Pintus, the fitness coach of Real Madrid trains them is that they go in spurts. So they have downtime and then they attack, they have downtime and then they have attack. So it’s about conserving energy. So they have highs and lows throughout the match, and usually it starts off slowly and then starts to build. They’re actually a better team as the game approaches the end. So I like Real Madrid at the latter half. I mean, you see how many comebacks that they’ve managed this season. It is through tactical adjustments. It is the ability to introduce youth, whether that’s Camavinga from the bench.

Mina Rzouki:

Obviously Valverde always is there, always relentless in his manner, but it’s also their ability to keep possession at the end too. I fancy them just because of the way that they’re trained to do something in extra time. Of course their history says so as well, but they are a side where if you just give them just a sniff of a potential of a win, they’re likely to do that at the end. When it comes to penalties, however, I’m more inclined to go with Liverpool. And that is because they did introduce a company. They have had talks about what it is that is required from a mental point of view to help enhance their abilities and penalties. And we’ve seen already how that’s paid off with them, with the trophies they’ve lifted against Chelsea. So it goes to show you that when they have had penalties, they’ve been able to really lift that approach, believe in themselves and not waiver.

Mina Rzouki:

I feel like when you think of Real Madrid, they’ve lost their two penalties takers over the years in Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo. I think Rodrygo is actually fantastic in taking penalties, so that’s one thing. You have Benzema. He hasn’t missed one, but he hasn’t really taken all that many either. So when it comes to that, I trust Liverpool and the investment they’ve made to make sure that they win their penalties. But I fancy Real Madrid extra time at plus 1400. That’s crazy, and to be honest with you, it’s not a bet I’ve taken, but I look at it now and I think… Knowing how they train that is something that they’ll go for. So it’s worth a punt, right? It’s so [inaudible 00:40:23].

Flash:

I know. Well, I don’t think… Because obviously I’m pro Madrid, but again, these two sides are absolutely top draw. Everywhere you look… I mean the only advantage I would probably give to Real Madrid is the midfield three. I think that if they’re playing Kroos, Casemiro and Modrić, I think that them three are going to dominate. Obviously, there’s no Thiago. Do we know that Fabinho is going to be right?

Mina Rzouki:

You can bring on Valverde and Camavinga.

Flash:

Yeah and I can change the game late on, that’s the other one. And I saw in the chat that a goal after 75 minutes, is it like a minus 110 or plus 110. That could be absolutely massive. Let’s have a little look to see if we’ve got any selections here on method of victory before I go and invite you to any questions and answers. Okay, so we’re going to skip on now. So if you’ve got any questions, now is the time to type them in. Before that, I’ll remind you that we are America’s favorite sportsbook so I’d like you to subscribe and also ring the bell means that we will notify you and never miss any content again. But we’re going into the summer at Bet US TV is the Twitter page to follow please because they will make you aware of everything that’s going on. So make sure that you do that.

Flash:

Right here we go. Let’s have a look. Penalties are all up, says [inaudible 00:41:42]. [inaudible 00:41:42] says Real Madrid to lift the trophy is the safest bet to be made. I think that’s around plus 150. I know that one of my experts has gone for that. Thiago and Fabinho, both doubtful to play. I think Thiago is out. Luis Díaz will [inaudible 00:41:58]. You know the other problem I’ve got is Liverpool have had such a long, long, long season. And Real Madrid, they’ve been sitting up for like three or four weeks now because they knew that they’d won the title.

Mina Rzouki:

That works against them. They’re a momentum team. I was worried and that’s why they played quite a full squad against Betis because they want to get momentum back into those legs. They’re a team that likes to not sit down.

Flash:

[inaudible 00:42:24] says Madrid to lift the trophy at 19 to one, he’s also on that. Same as me. Mitch says Mo Salah to score first, unless he’s nickname for Benzema is Mo. Christian James says, will Madrid park the bus knowing they can’t take Liverpool straight on? I think they could take them on, I think they could. I think that midfield, but I also do believe that they do not want to leave the space in behind for the likes of Salah and Mané and Díaz, because they’re so clever, them three. They can interchange and they could pop up absolutely anywhere.

Flash:

Okay, let’s have a little look at the best bets and then we’ll try and explain. And also we’ll try and maybe add. Mina, Madrid over three and a half corners at minus 110. Absolutely loved that. Mark, Liverpool money line plus, I don’t like that. Mina, Benzema, anytime scorer at plus 130. Mark is Luis Díaz anytime scorer at plus 210. What Columbia would’ve done for having a few of his goals in qualification. I think they had six or seven, nil-nil’s.

Flash:

Liverpool under one and a half cards at minus 105, which has moved 30 cents plus 125 yesterday. But there wasn’t the biggest mover because the biggest mover was Vini Jr anytime scorer plus 310 now plus 225. And I’ve gone with a little plus 700, draw half time at plus 700 with Madrid winning the second half. So draw halftime, Madrid full time at plus 700. Draw halftime is always a factor for me in finals. So if it’s not a draw halftime, both of them are dead in the water. Both teams score and over two and half goals at plus 100 for Mina. Second half both teams score at plus 190 also for Mina. Madrid to lift the cup…

Mina Rzouki:

Substitutions.

Flash:

At plus 140 was plus 150. Sorry, Mina.

Mina Rzouki:

Substitutions. Both the teams have a great squad. Both of them. So bench will make the difference.

Flash:

I totally agree. And with this massive pitch, by the way’s a wide pitch, good players, they’re going to play on it. There’s going to be big spaces. So you want to be seeing this game out. Okay, I think that’s us all wrapped up and it’s a massive thank you for myself and everyone on the Bet US team, whether you was watching LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A or the Premier League.

Flash:

We will be back in the first week of August. Maybe we’ll do some future shows because they were quite profitable last season as well. Mark O’Haire, I would say have a great holiday. There you go. I know you’re going on a holiday. You’re catching a plane or you’re leaving in about seven or eight minutes. So we’ve timed that just right, just for you. And listen, if it doesn’t go your way in the Champions League final, then you know that it’s gone well for others. All right, so be happy for others. Mina.

Mina Rzouki:

Learn to share.

Flash:

If it doesn’t go well for us…

Mina Rzouki:

It’s gone well for Mark.

Flash:

Then someone’s on holiday, really, really enjoying himself. And everyone in the chat, we really appreciate your knowledge and we also appreciate how kind you’ve been with your fellow typers in the chat.

Flash:

So from everyone at Bet US.. Mina, honestly, it’s been absolutely brilliant having you and hope you rejoin us again next year. Mark O’Haire, you’ve been absolutely great in both Premier League and Champions League. So from everyone at Bet US, enjoy Paris on Saturday. It’s the Champions League final. You take care.

Mina Rzouki:

Ciao.

BetUS Sportsbook & Casino
Average rating:  
 0 reviews

Show More

Related Tags

HLTV BLAST.tv