Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid: Champions League Final Team News and Prediction
The Champions League draws to a close on Saturday evening as Borussia Dortmund take on Real Madrid at Wembley.
Ahead of the showdown in London, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including what time it kicks off, where to watch the game, team news and a SkyBet price boost.
When is kick off?
Saturday 1st June, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is the match?
Wembley, London
What TV channel is it on?
TNT Sports
Route to the Final
Borussia Dortmund navigated the Group of Death, this despite picking up just one point from their opening two games. Back-to-back wins over Newcastle and victory over AC Milan in Italy saw them join PSG in the last-16 of the competition. Dortmund then navigated meetings with PSV, Atletico Madrid and PSG to set up their trip to Wembley.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are yet to lose in the Champions League this season. The Spanish giants breezed through the group stages, winning all six matches, and then got the better of RB Leipzig, defending champions Manchester City and German powerhouse Bayern Munich as they go in search of a 15th major European trophy.
Team News
Defender Ramy Bensebaini is the only confirmed absentee for Borussia Dortmund ahead of Saturday's final. Head coach Edin Terzic is sweating on the fitness of Sebastien Haller, Julien Duranville and Mateu Morey, though only the former would have potentially started if fit. Niklas Fullkrug is a more than capable option to lead the charge should Haller miss out. Marco Reus, meanwhile, will hope to bow out from Borussia Dortmund on a high with Saturday marking his final game for the German side.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is unable to call upon Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba due to injury, though the former will be fit for Euro 2024. Goalkeeper Andrii Lunin has arrived separately from the squad having suffered with the flu this week, though reports suggest Thibaut Courtois will start between the sticks regardless. Toni Kroos will play his final game in a Real Madrid shirt ahead of the Euros, after which he'll call time on his career.
Probable XIs
Borussia Dortmund (4231) - Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug
Real Madrid (4312) - Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Once again, Vinicius Junior has been one of Real Madrid's star performers this season. Even with the impending arrival of Kylian Mbappe, the Brazilian has excelled for Los Blancos both domestically and on the continent. It was Vinicius Junior who scored twice in Munich to guarantee a positive result in their first leg meeting with Bayern.
The 23-year-old boasts a WhoScored rating of 7.74 in the Champions League this season, and has been directly involved in nine goals in the tournament, scoring five. Of those nine, five have come in the knockout stages of Europe's elite club competition; no player has more. With that, SkyBet have boosted their price of Vinicius Junior to score or assist inside 90 minutes on Saturday from 8/11 to 1/1.
Score Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Real Madrid
