For the second time in three years, we will have an all-England Champions League Final. However, neither team took part in the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid. That speaks to the depth of quality teams in the English Premier League as Chelsea and Manchester City will square off this Saturday. This will be Chelsea’s third trip to the Champions League Final, and they have had both of their previous appearances go to penalties. Meanwhile, Manchester City will be making its first finals trip. The Champions League Final will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 3 p.m. ET at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal.
UEFA Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester City FC -119
Chelsea FC +358
Draw +259
Over/Under 2 and 2.5
The Citizens are favored to win their first Champions League after claiming another Premier League title this season. Manchester City’s owners have made no secret that they have been gunning for a Champions League win from the outset. They have come close and were one of the favorites at the start of the competition the last few seasons, and they are hoping to finally claim their Holy Grail.
City had little trouble with German clubs Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund in the first two knockout rounds. They triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals too, ensuring that the other major club desperate for their first Champions League title will have to wait another year.
This starting eleven is dripping with talent. Kevin De Bruyne has proved his talent time and time again as a hybrid midfielder/forward, and he is arguably the most gifted player Pep Guardiola has on the roster. De Bruyne tallied 10 goals and led City with 18 assists this season.
That’s far from it though. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had 17 goals to lead the team, and youngster Phil Foden had 16 goals and 10 assists. Raheem Sterling continued to deliver up top with 14 goals and 10 assists, and Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus are incredible goal scoring threats too. Riyad Mahrez was the hero in the second leg against PSG with a brace to seal the victory, as he continues to have moments of absolute brilliance.
It will be a bittersweet day for Sergio Aguero though. Aguero has been the star of City for the last decade, but this will be his last time in the blue and white. After ten years and 184 goals with the club, he will move to Barcelona in the offseason after falling out of favor.
Chelsea used an exceptional defensive effort to get to the Champions League Final. The Blues blanked Atletico Madrid in both legs in their Round of 16 matchup, and they allowed a single goal to Porto over two games in the quarterfinals. They held Real Madrid without a goal at Stamford Bridge, as Timo Werner and Mason Mount propelled Chelsea into the final.
This team has an interesting mix of young talent and proven veterans. Timo Werner has been worth his hefty transfer fee, and Mason Mount has developed nicely. Kai Havertz has been solid, but not spectacular, after being added in the offseason too. Christian Pulisic has shined in some spots, and Hakim Ziyech has provided some offense as well.
The keys to the defense are midfielders N’Golo Kante and Jorginho. Kante has been heralded as the best defensive midfielder in the world multiple times, while Jorginho cleans up a lot playing just behind the other midfielders.
Prediction
We saw Manchester City run Chelsea off the pitch in Stamford Bridge in early January. The Citizens scored three goals in the first 34 minutes and cruised to a 3-1 win. Chelsea knocked off City on the ro ad earlier this month thanks to a Marcos Alonso extra time goal, but the Citizens sat most of their stars with the Premier League already in hand.
Both teams are close to full strength for this final, but Kante is a little banged up and Cheslea goaltender Edouard Mendy is questionable to play. Even if Kante and Mendy were fully healthy though, it wouldn’t be enough for Chelsea to win their second Champions League title.
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