After weeks of waiting, the first of two European finals are upon us Wednesday.
Two London teams, Arsenal and Chelsea, have traveled halfway around the world at a chance to win a European Cup. For Arsenal, it is a chance to do two things: win its first UEFA Cup/Europa League title, and qualify for next season's Champions League.
Chelsea seems to be in a little bit of disarray heading into the match, but is that not always the case with this club? The Blues do not know who their manager will be next season, they will have a two-window transfer ban (unless it is overturned at the highest level of appeal), and Eden Hazard is most certainly off to Real Madrid.
Normally, that chaos would be a good thing for Arsenal, but it just seems like Chelsea is used to it by now. The teams spilt this year, 3-2 to Chelsea in August, and 2-0 to Arsenal in January. Arsenal has won two of the last three, but the three matches before that were draws.
Expect this to be close, with extra time a distinct possibility.
In FIFA U20 World Cup play, Group A and B will be decided today. Which teams will end up advancing to the knockout stages?
Chelsea (+115) vs. Arsenal (+246), draw (+235), 3 p.m. (TNT and Fubo.tv)
THE PICK:
Arsenal to lift the cup (+130)
Arsenal ML (+246)
GROUP B
Ecuador (-200) vs. Mexico (+400) draw (+320), 12 p.m. (FS2 and Fubo.tv)
THE PICKS:
Ecuador ML (-200)
Ecuador to win first half (+110)
Italy (+190) vs. Japan (+190), draw (+146), 12 p.m. (FOX Soccer Plus and Fubo.tv)
THE PICK: Italy ML (+190)