No one thought Real Madrid was capable of winning the UEFA Champions League in 2021-22, especially after the eventual La Liga champions lost to Sheriff in the Group Stage.
Well, I should not say no one–I had them at +1500 to win the Champions League–and cashed big when Madrid came back in the Round-of-16 to beat PSG, the Quarterfinals to beat Chelsea, and the Semifinals to beat Manchester City. Carlo Ancelotti's side then ran Liverpool off the pitch in the Final to win its 14th European Cup.
While very few people had Real Madrid, NO ONE had Eintracht Frankfurt to win a trophy. But there the German side was, knocking off Rangers to win the Europa League, and now they have a chance today to bring home another piece of silverware in the UEFA Super Cup.
When Gus Poyet was asked about an upstart Tottenham going up against the two heavyweights at the top of the Premier League, he was adamant that it was a two-horse race: because of the talent in the Liverpool and Manchester City squads.
In a one-off game, though, anything can happen. It is very interesting to look at the overall history of this cup. From 1973 until 2012, the winner of the European Cup/Champions League was just 18-19 in 37 matches.
But from that year until the present, Champions League winners have won eight of nine, with the only loss in 2018: Atletico Madrid over Real Madrid 4-2 in added extra time.
Speaking of added extra time in this match (which could affect your wager), seven of those last nine games–including the last four–have needed at least an extra 30 minutes, with another three going to penalties.
Spanish teams have won this cup 15 times (losing 14), with German sides just 2-7 (Bayern Munich 2013 and 2020) in the matches.
Can Real Madrid buck the trend and win the match in regulation, or can Eintracht Frankfurt shake off an ugly loss and pick up another piece of silverware.
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UEFA SUPER CUP
Real Madrid (-250) v Eintracht Frankfurt (+650), draw (+400), 3 p.m. EDT (CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and Fubo.TV)
GAME PLAY:
Real Madrid -1.25 AH (-112)
PROP PLAYS:
Over 3 goals AH: (-105)
Real Madrid halftime/full time (+100)
Real Madrid over 2.5 goals (+140)