Champions League Final Preview:
Manchester City v Inter

The UEFA Champions League final is set to take place on Saturday, 10th June at the iconic Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. Full preview and match guide below.

English champions Manchester City will face off against three-time Champions League winners Inter in the last of three European finals for Italian teams (Fiorentina, Inter and AS Roma respectively).

Football Content

Manchester City: Finally?

This encounter marks the first-ever meeting between these two clubs in European competition.

Manchester City, despite their recent dominance in domestic football, are appearing in only their second Champions League final and are still in pursuit of their maiden title.

Their coach, Pep Guardiola, is no stranger to the grand stage, having previously won the Champions League trophy with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.

Guardiola will be aiming to join an elite group of three-time winners and become only the sixth manager to lift the trophy with two different clubs.

Inter: Italian Giants

Inter, compared to City, have a rich history in the competition, having triumphed on three occasions. Their most recent success came in 2010 under the guidance of José Mourinho.

Now, it’s Simone Inzaghi’s turn to lead the Nerazzurri to glory. Returning to the final after a gap of 13 years, Inter find themselves in a relatively underdog position against a formidable Manchester City side, something which forward, Romelu Lukaku predicted at the beginning of the season!

🗣️ “Lukaku told me ‘we’re going to the final’ at the beginning of the season!” 😅

Inter Milan owner Steven Zhang reacts as his club reach the Champions League Final for the first time in 13 years 🏆 pic.twitter.com/uTUctT7yRT

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 17, 2023

However, they have little to lose and can draw strength from their solid defensive organisation and fluid attacking play.

Football Content

Potential Line-ups and Team News

The possible line-ups for the Champions League final are as follows:

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Rúben Dias, Aké; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Gündoğan, Grealish; Haaland

Inter:  Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, Džeko

Recent Form & Domestic Football

Manchester City

In terms of recent form, Manchester City has been in impressive shape across all competitions. They have showcased their dominance by dispatching the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, winning the Premier League and at the time of writing are in the FA Cup final versus local rivals, Manchester United. Their form guide reads LDWWWD, and as a team firing on all cylinders, they are rightfully considered favourites for the title.

Inter

Inter, meanwhile, has enjoyed a successful campaign, despite finishing third in Serie A. They have recently won the Coppa Italia and their form stands at WWLWWW. Under Inzaghi’s guidance, the team has shown adaptability and cohesion, excelling both defensively and offensively.

What the Managers are saying

Pep Guardiola, Man City coach: “When you reach the final of the Champions League, you have to celebrate. A final against an Italian team is not always the best gift, honestly. Inter are competitive. After this [semi-final] victory there will be a lot of compliments, but we have time to prepare mentally.”

Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach: “For us it was a dream but we have always believed in it. I’m proud to be here. Nobody has given us anything, we deserve everything that we have achieved. And now the dream to play the final has come true. It has been an extraordinary path and winning a derby in the semi-final brought particular satisfaction.”

UEFA Champions League Overview

The UEFA Champions League is renowned as the most esteemed and sought-after award in club football worldwide. Although South America has the Copa Libertadores, and Asia and Africa have their own Champions Leagues, it is the UEFA Champions League that attracts the most prominent football stars competing against one another.

The UEFA Champions League is universally recognised as the most prestigious award in club football across the world. It showcases the most prominent teams in the sport contending for supremacy, with Real Madrid securing an impressive hat-trick of consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018, thereby elevating their total number of European Cups to a staggering 13. Other noteworthy clubs with numerous UCL triumphs include AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Internazionale, and Manchester United. Meanwhile, clubs like Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG remain determined to clinch the most coveted club trophy in Europe.

The UEFA Champions League commences well before the group stages with the pre-qualifying rounds and a play-off round, both of which take place over each summer. Following the group stages, which wrap up in December every year, it’s time for the knockout rounds where there is no margin for error and the prominent teams elevate the pressure.

Popular Champions League Betting Markets

The Champions League represents the apex of European football, and as a result, the pinnacle of European football betting. Football already hosts numerous types of bets, and this tournament is no exception.

Outright Markets

One of the most popular types of Champions League betting is predicting the team that will win the trophy. This is a long-term wager, and as we all know, football is an unpredictable sport. Can Liverpool claim their 7th title, or will Real Madrid secure another triumph? The former Italian giants, Juventus, and either Milan side are also teams to watch out for.

The nature of the Champions League restricts the number of outright markets available. Unlike the Premier League, there are no markets for top-four finishes or relegation. Typically, you’ll only have access to betting odds for the Champions League winner and each way terms.

Team-Related Wagers

The team events are the primary focus of this betting market, striking a delicate balance between risk and reward. Typically, it’s similar to the team-related betting markets in other competitions such as the World Cup or domestic football.

The Match Result market is the most popular in the Champions League betting market. However, there are several other options available, including safer alternatives like Over/Under Goals and Draw No Bet. If you’re feeling lucky, you can opt for a riskier Correct Score bet.

Player Markets

For those who prefer high-risk, high-reward betting, player props are the way to go. This betting type involves wagering on a particular outcome or moment from an individual player during the match. Examples include Lionel Messi scoring the first goal, Kylian Mbappe scoring a penalty, or Sergio Ramos getting sent off. The possibilities are endless.

The most common bet types in the Champions League betting market revolve around goalscorers, with Anytime Goalscorer being particularly popular. However, you can always try your luck with First and Last Goalscorer bets to increase the odds. To Be Carded is also a fun and exciting method of betting, especially if you know a player who tends to receive bookings frequently.

What We Expect From UEFA Champions League Betting Sites

To rate and rank Champions League betting sites, we follow a rigorous review process that evaluates various aspects. While competitive odds are important, they are not the only factor we consider. A top-ranking Champions League betting site should strive to provide a comprehensive service to its customers, ensuring they have a seamless betting experience from the moment they sign up.

Champions League Betting Markets

During the review process for ranking Champions League betting sites, we prioritise those that offer a wide variety of betting options. This includes match markets like half-time/full-time, goals scored, handicap betting, corners, and live betting. We also look for sites that provide diverse outright markets such as top Champions League scorer, teams to reach the final, and nationality of the winner, which sets them apart from the competition.

Bonuses & Offers

If you’re looking to elevate your Champions League betting experience, taking advantage of enticing bonuses and offers can help. Whether you’re a new bettor or an existing punter, it’s always great to have access to welcome offers and regular promotions.

That’s why we prioritise bookmakers that offer enhanced odds, loyalty rewards, and the ability for players to create their own bespoke bets. A top-ranked Champions League betting site will have a diverse range of appealing offers to choose from.

Competitive Champions League Odds

Having competitive Champions League odds is crucial for any betting site aiming to succeed in the market. Bettors are constantly searching for the best offers and if a site fails to provide them, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from. So, offering favourable odds can be a deciding factor for punters in selecting a betting site.

Our team is committed to identifying the top bookmakers in the market with the most competitive Champions League odds. We believe that our users should have access to the best odds to make informed betting decisions and maximise their winnings. With our expertise, you can trust us to help you achieve your betting goals and come out on top. Don’t settle for anything less than the best odds – count on us to find them.

Bet Builder

Bettors who want to place a bet on a single Champions League match while still having the opportunity to get higher odds can make use of same-game multis. This type of bet, also referred to as bet builders at some sites, enables users to combine selections from various markets within a single match, providing them with greater flexibility and control over their wagers.

Bet builders are a type of accumulator bet that allow bettors to create custom wagers by combining selections from different markets within a single match. This enables them to tailor their bets to better reflect the specific dynamics of the game and potentially earn higher payouts compared to traditional single-market bets.

Live In-Play Champions League Betting

Live betting has revolutionized the way we watch and bet on football, and the Champions League is no exception. In-play betting sites offer a dynamic and exciting way to bet on the matches as they unfold, with dozens of markets available in real-time.

With live trackers accessible through both site and app interfaces, you can stay up-to-date with the action and make informed decisions throughout the match. Whether you’re looking to bet on the next goal scorer or the number of corners, live betting sites provide a thrilling and immersive betting experience that can enhance your enjoyment of the game.

The best in-play betting sites offer more than just live odds. They also provide detailed statistics and graphics to help bettors make informed decisions while watching the match, creating a dynamic and engaging betting experience. By integrating these additional features into their platforms, bookmakers can deliver a truly dynamic and engaging betting experience.

For the best Champions League betting experience with extensive in-play options, check out our recommended bookmakers. We’ve carefully assessed and analysed the top options available so that you can bet confidently and increase your chances of success.