Written in the stars for Real?
A match that needs no introduction, Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions League on Saturday evening at the Parc des Princes.
The Galacticos come in as underdogs, despite their way past Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City to take their place in the final.
This could be the last match of this magnitude that Toni Kroos and Luka Modric play in, but the central midfielders are still absolutely integral to the way that Carlo Ancelotti’s men play.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have had an utterly sensational second half to the season, cutting the gap in the Premier League to just one point, advancing to the final with very little fuss and winning the domestic cup double in England.
Background
Fabinho is an enormous loss for Liverpool, but Jordan Henderson can slot into a deep lying midfield very comfortably with Naby Keita becoming a very important player box-to-box.
Virgil Van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara are doubtful, but it feels the Reds will find a way to start at least one of them.
Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip have both had strong seasons at centre back, but neither carry the same authority as Van Dijk, and Karim Benzema will be excited by the prospect of the Dutchman missing out.
Klopp faces a dilemma with what front three to pick.
Diogo Jota would be very unfortunate to miss out, but it does seem like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz are the most likely front three to start the game.
Real Madrid have been extremely unconvincing for large periods in this Champions League run, they trailed PSG 2-0 on aggregate, Manchester City 2-0, 3-1, and 4-2 and 5-3, Chelsea 4-3, but they somehow made it through.
They got over the line all three times at the Bernabeu and the cauldron effect that can have will not be present in this fixture.
Goals?
Real have relied on Thibaut Courtois unsustainably at times, their centre back pairing of Eder Militao and David Alaba is unconvincing.
Goals is an option, but I would be waiting for team news to see if Van Dijk is available, an outright angle entices me more.
Liverpool have scored in nine of ten.
Liverpool have conceded in five of ten.
Liverpool have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Real have scored in eight of ten.
Real have conceded in seven of ten.
Real have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Real have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-0 Real, Courtois man of the match.