Insane Championship Sunday!!

WOW!! What an absolutely BONKERS final day of league action!! We've come to the end of the European league season, with just one big game left to play...

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Let's get straight into it.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 CITY CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!! We knew the stakes, we knew the possibilities... It all seemed to be written in the stars for Liverpool––for a brief second in time. Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa not only went up 1-0 against Manchester City, but then doubled their lead through former Liverpool talisman Philippe Coutinho. It was the most stunning of storylines, one that meant Liverpool would win the league if they went on to beat Wolves (game was 1-1 at the time). 

However, in a flurry of madness, City scored three goals in just five minutes. İlkay Gündoğan opened the scoring and then finished it with this far post tapin off the feed from Kevin de Bruyne. It doesn't quite equal the Agüero moment, but it sure comes close. Liverpool went on to beat Wolves 3-1, and would've done the improbable without this unbelievable City comeback. It's truly incredible stuff from Pep's boys. Few teams in the world are able to do this, and they did. It made for some of the most enthralling minutes of football you could ask for. Hats off to another incredible league run from Manchester City.

🇮🇹 AC Milan have done it!!!! A Scudetto for the Rossoneri!!! They needed to win and they did, beating Sassuolo comfortably 3-0 away from home. Being outside of Milan didn't matter though, as the fans came out in ridiculous number to watch the club secure its first title since 2011. Some of the scenes were great to watch, particularly from Zlatan Ibrahimović––the legendary big man got on for his substitute appearance, before announcing after the game that he's been playing with no ACL in his left knee for 6 months. What!! He was so determined to help deliver on his 'promise' to the players and fans of Milan that he played through the pain with weekly injections all year to deliver. It was the suave striker from France that delivered the goods on the final day, however, with Olivier Giroud netting a brace en route to a famous win.

🇦🇱 The Special One has done it again! Another Italian club was draped with glory this week, as José Mourinho's AS Roma were crowned Champions of the inaugural Europa Conference League. They beat Feyenoord 1-0, as Mourinho finds silverware yet again. He's won a trophy at every single club he's managed apart from one: Tottenham Hotspur. José may not be at the top of the mountain anymore, but don't believe he doesn't still have something to give to the game. Look what it means to him...

Quiz Of The Week

How many clubs outside Europe's top 5 leagues have won a Champions League/European Cup Final?

Scroll to the bottom for the answer...

The Champions League Final

Saturday –– 3:00 PM ET

Liverpool (+110) vs Real Madrid (+245)

This is it––the big one. The one we've been waiting for. We've seen one team comeback time after time to get here, while the other has come through as the strongest side in each of its games, granted against lesser opposition. Liverpool are into their third final in five years, while Madrid are back for the first time since Zidane an co. won three in a row.

It's a rematch of the final from Kyiv, where we saw a lot go down... Sergio Ramos wrestled Mo Salah to the ground in the opening stages of the game, taking Liverpool's best player out of the game through injury. Liverpool never recovered, and––after one of the most egregious blunders you'll see in a cup final from Loris Karius––Gareth Bale scored a banger and a brace from the bench and Los Blancos won 3-1.

It's interesting to see which parts remain. For Madrid, the most glaring departure has been Cristiano Ronaldo. His influence on the greatness of this era of Madrid is perhaps taken for granted by supporters. Ramos and Varane are gone, but Karim Benzema and the midfield trio of Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro continue to lead the team through the wars.

For Liverpool, it's mostly the same outfit. Firmino will likely start from the bench, but will have a role to play in the game. A fresh injection of Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota up front has helped carry Liverpool through this season. In the midfield it's Fabinho and Thiago in place of what was Wijnaldum and Milner. And whether it's Matip or Konate, the rest of the back line is the same. What is different, however, is the confidence in the man between the sticks––one who won't make the same mistake as his predecessor.

Madrid have beaten PSG, Chelsea, and Man City. So why are Liverpool the favourites? Liverpool are simply the better team, front to back. Talking of these consistencies in the teams from whence they last played, Liverpool have gotten stronger where Madrid have gotten weaker. There's plenty of context surrounding this, but it's fact. Yet, Madrid have made an impossibly magical run to get to the final, slaying giant after giant. Even though they've beaten teams that were favourites to beat them, they are giants themselves. And in a one-off game, anything can happen here.

It's going to be fun, it's going to be box office. Klopp and Ancelotti––two men utterly different in style and composition but alike in their proximity to success. Two great teams, one epic final in Paris. Let's go!!

The Appetizer

Saturday 11:30 AM ET

Huddersfield Town (+250) vs Nottingham Forest (+120)

One of my favourite games on the calendar: The Championship Playoff Final. Just hours before the Champions League final kicks off, it's a perfect way to wet the beak on what is a fantastic day of footie. Get the Guinness going early.

Forest hold a slight edge to win it all, according to the bookies, but this game is always a scrap. Both teams, both clubs, both sets of supporters are desperate to get to the Premier League, and are so close they can taste it.

It's going to be a blast of a 90 minutes at Wembley.

Dan & Billy's Betting Picks

Dan's Picks: UCL Final Special: Now, I'm not a Liverpool fan like little William, but I have to back my bets. Even though I hate Madrid, I like their value a lot to win the game at +245 to win in regular time. If they score, you know Vini Jr. is going to be involved, so get him to score or assist at +165. A fun little prop of o8.5 corners at -205. And cap off with Madrid to come from behind and win at +1400. Not like they're new to that. 👀

Billy's Picks: Oh, Daniel. They say don't meet your heroes. I meet up with Dan all the time. First of all, I'm obviously taking Liverpool to win the game in 90' at +110. But I love love love Sadio Mané to be an anytime goalscorer at +200. Here's free money though: Luka Modrić to have at least 1 shot on target at +225. I know for a FACT he's going to line one up and crank one from about 25 yards at some point in the game. My punt of the day is Trent Alexander-Arnold to score outside the box at +2000. Am I going to hit every one of these???

Goal Of The Week

Really clean strike here from Kulusevski. Who's been the better winter signing, Kulu or Díaz?

Red Card Of The Week

If you're looking for Neil Lennon, you can find him in Cypriot... He was sent off for taunting the referee in the late stages of their cup final, before his side went on to win on penalties.

Quiz Answer: 8!! They are: Ajax, Benfica, Porto, Celtic, Steaua București, Feyenoord, PSV, and Red Star Belgrade.

Have a great weekend and continue to spread the Straight Red love if you want a chance to win a jersey of your choice!