Tottenham and Liverpool will battle it out for domestic football’s most coveted prize when they meet in the Champions League final on Saturday.
After the two clubs staged dramatic semi-final comebacks to get to Madrid, both will feel like their name is on the trophy.
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The Wanda Metropolitano will host the Champions League final on Saturday
But there can only be one winner – and here at talkSPORT.com, we’ve tried to predict who that might be.
Liverpool did the double over Tottenham earlier this season and finished 26 points above them in the league.
Overall, the Reds have dominated their recent history with Spurs, losing just one of their last 14 meetings.
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You’d back Jurgen Klopp’s men on paper, but as we all know, Champions League finals aren’t played on paper.
Here’s how our writers expect the game to go…
Sean O’Brien – Tottenham
Logic says Liverpool, but where has logic been throughout this remarkable Champions League campaign?
Tottenham, in my opinion, are far more adaptable to a cagey European final, whereas Liverpool will play their heavy-metal football regardless of the occasion – often to their detriment.
The Reds would’ve been hoping for Ajax. Spurs know too much about them. I expect Pochettino to outsmart Klopp.
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Tottenham pulled off a miraculous second-half comeback against Ajax in their semi-final
Joe Moore – Liverpool
We all know league form don’t mean squat in a cup final, but surely there is only one outcome here.
This is Spurs’ first ever European Cup final, while these Reds players have been there before and will be fired up from the INJUSTICE last year against Real Madrid.
Plus, they’ll be desperate to end the season with a trophy after missing out on the Premier League title – again! Six-time European champions, anyone? COME ON YOU REDS!
Joe Coleman – Tottenham
The arrogance emanating from some of Liverpool’s players before this final is quite staggering; with James Milner the latest player to suggest the Reds ‘deserve’ to win the trophy.
On paper, Jurgen Klopp’s side is stronger – especially if Harry Kane is not at 100% against the powerhouse that is Virgil van Dijk.
But Mauricio Pochettino is doing his utmost to remove the tag of ‘bottlers’ from this Spurs team and their performances show that. Expect to see the north Londoners come out all guns blazing.
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Jackson Cole – Liverpool
Both Tottenham and Liverpool have done brilliantly to make it to Madrid especially during the semi-finals when it looked very unlikely either of them would make it through after their respective first legs.
But I think this is Liverpool’s time as their success this season has had more substance to it. They haven’t won anything in the 2018/19 campaign so far but they’ve played like champions, whereas Tottenham’s path to the final has essentially been done on adrenaline – similar to the situation Liverpool were in 12 months ago when they made the final in Kiev.
Liverpool have more depth to their team too which could be decisive in such a tight game at the end of a very long season. A Liverpool win would finally show Spurs owner Daniel Levy what can happen if you’re willing to ‘be brave’ in the transfer market, as Mauricio Pochettino subtly put it a year ago.
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Who will claim the coveted prize?
Josh Fordham – Tottenham
Things just seem to be going Spurs’ way in the Champions League this season.
It will be a close game but I can see Pochettino’s side edging it in extra time.
Oliver Dawnay – Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will be desperate for some silverware following the superb season they have had and I believe they have too much quality for Spurs all over the pitch.
Daniel Sandford – Liverpool
Liverpool will be desperate to win after their Premier League disappointment. They boast a better attack and Kane’s lack of fitness could prove a huge blow to Spurs.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hailed his sides incredible development ahead of tomorrow nights Champions League quarter-final clash against Porto at Anfield. The Reds have been in superb form domestically, losing just one Premier League game all season, and are currently fighting out a fascinating title race with Man City.
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