Saturday, June 1, 2019

Tottenham vs Liverpool - Competition: UEFA Champions League
Date: 1 June 2019 - Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST
Venue: Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid

Tottenham team produced a remarkable comeback in the semi-final of the UCL. They were trailing 2-0 against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena and 3-0 on aggregate before Lucas Moura sealed a last-gasp hat-trick to eliminate the Eredivisie champions, with the third goal scored in the 95th minute. They escaped the stage group because of goal difference, and only managed to earn one point from their first three group games. Spurs' recent form is really poor as Mauricio Pochettino's men have lost 5 of their last 8 outings and only kept one clean sheet in the proces (a narrow win over Brighton).
Tottenham will be hoping that Kane is fit to play in this final, if only as a substitute. Son Heung Min is expected to lead the line, supported by three offensive midfielders - Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura. With Harry Winks out through injury and Eric Dier not 100% fit, Moussa Sissoko and Victor Wanyama are likely to anchor the midfield. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are expected to form the central pair in a 4-2-3-1 starting system. while Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose should be the full backs. Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez are other options at the back, while Serge Aurier remain out through injury.

Liverpool also produced a miracle to reach this UCL final in Madrid. The Reds were 3-0 down against FC Barcelona after the first leg in Spain but they hammered 4-0 the Catalans at Anfield despite playing without Salah and Firmino. As to the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp's men were narrowly pipped by Manchester City in the race for the title, although they lose just once in the entire campaign. The Reds' last match ended in a 2-0 win over Wolves on the final day of the season, meaning that Jurgen Klopp's men finished the league with 9 straight wins. As to direct encounters, the Reds have only lost one of their last 14 games played against Tottenham.
Roberto Firmino missed the final games of the season but is expected to be fit for this game. The Brazilian should complete the usual attacking trio along with Sadio Manè and Mo Salah, with the unexpected hero Divock Origi likely to play at some stage. The three man midfield will be formed by Fabinho (favourite over James Milner), Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum since Naby Keita is still injured. No changes are expected at the back, where Joel Matip should get the nod over Dejan Lovren and join the likes of Andrew Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Wanyama; Eriksen, Lucas Moura, Alli; Son.
Liverpool (4-3-3):
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Tottenham last 5 matches:
27/04/19 Tottenham 0 – 1 West Ham
30/04/19 Tottenham 0 – 1 Ajax
04/05/19 Bournemouth 1 – 0 Tottenham
08/05/19 Ajax 2 – 3 Tottenham
12/05/19 Tottenham 2 – 2 Everton

Liverpool last 5 matches:
26/04/19 Liverpool 5 – 0 Huddersfield
01/05/19 Barcelona 3 – 0 Liverpool
04/05/19 Newcastle 2 – 3 Liverpool
07/05/19 Liverpool 4 – 0 Barcelona
12/05/19 Liverpool 2 – 0 Wolverhampton
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