Juventus can best Barca to Champions League crown
Juventus (5/1 with Coral to win over 90 minutes) are of course outsiders to lift the Champions League for the first time since 1996, as the Italian giants face a formidable juggernaut in Barcelona (odds-on at 8/13).
However, few thought the Old Lady would be able to navigate their way past Real Madrid to reach Berlin in the first place, so Juve are clearly capable of pulling a few surprises.
This duel will likely be a clash of opposites, with the Old Lady often at her best in Europe this season when on the back foot and able to counter-attack.
There are few teams better at capitalising on lack of possession and winning the ball back, and this Juve team does not lack for spirit.
Having captured four Scudetti on the trot, Massimiliano Allegri’s men are hungry for continental validation and, with a first treble in the offing, Coral are offering a marvellous matchday special of 12/1 for Carlos Tevez to score and Juventus to win in 90 minutes (maximum stake £20). Don’t miss out.
On Juve top scorer Tevez, who has hit seven in 12 Champions League outings this term, iconic goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said: “Tévez is our power source in the sense that when he performs, the whole team performs. He’s crucial.”
At 8/1 to fire home first, talisman Tevez will likely be joined in attack by Real academy product Alvaro Morata (11/2 in the anytime market), while Arturo Vidal (11/2) and Paul Pogba (6/1) will provide threat and presence in midfield alongside evergreen Andrea Pirlo.
Barca, meanwhile, travel to Germany in search of a fifth Champions League crown, with a second historic treble perfectly possible after the Catalan kings did the domestic double.
However, the Nou Camp club must be prepared for Juve’s determination and will not be able to roll over their opponents, who have kept seven clean sheets in Europe this season, so easily. Which is why a draw over 90 minutes is so superbly priced at 13/5.
Departing captain and playmaker extraordinaire Xavi Hernandez has the perfect opportunity to bow out a hero, and having netted for his boyhood club last time these two teams met in 2003, and is 16/1 to score last.
Barcelona’s terrific triumvate of Lionel Messi, fresh from inspiring his side to Copa del Rey success in stupendous fashion, Neymar and Luis Suarez will be by far Juventus’ biggest concern, however.
Few can contain the formidable trio, who star in their own matchday special at 12/1 all to score in 90 minutes (again with a max stake of £20), and have grabbed an unbelievable 120 goals between them across all competitions this campaign.
If any defence can deny the talents of Messi back to his majestic best (and 7/2 to bag a brace or better), it is one led by Giorgio Chiellieni, who is 19/4 to help Juve shut out swashbuckling Barca as he faces old foe Suarez.
This thrilling final really is a clash of the titans, so back these two elite European teams and their abundance of attacking talent at 16/1 both to score in both halves.
Top Coral tip: Carlos Tevez to score and Juventus to win in 90 minutes @ 12/1 (maximum stake £20)
