7 Predictions for the European Finals

Hello everyone, and welcome back to another blog post. With the Champions League and Europa League Finals finalized (City vs. Chelsea and United vs. Villarreal respectively) I thought I would make a post about some predictions for the two games. They start at fairly likely-to-happen predictions at seven and six to really unlikely ones at four and three and finally my predictions for the man of the match, scores and winners of the two games at two and one.



7: Chelsea Need Pulisic


Not too crazy but still a bit risky, I am going to predict that Chelsea will not win if Pulisic does not step foot on the pitch. He doesn't necessarily need to start, although I would probably start him in Tuchel's position. I think City are most likely favorites, and that without the white American shooter Chelsea will have trouble overcoming them.


6: Every Team Will Score 
While I think the Manchester clubs are probably the favorites for their respective trophies, I think both finals are quite evenly matched. In the Champions League final I think both teams have extremely strong defenses, possibly the two strongest in the world, but with the amount of firepower in both teams I don't see either defense not shipping at least one goal. When it comes to the Europa League I think both teams are better attack-wise than defensively, especially United who are a bit better at scoring goals but definitely have a more suspect and inconsistent defense.


5: Sidelined Skippers 
It is no secret that captains are the leaders of a team, many such as Steven Gerrard or Paolo Maldini even dedicating nearly their entire career to a club. Almost every year the captain plays a huge part in the teams ultimate victory. However, I feel as if this year in the two finals the captains are less important than most, especially when it comes to natural ability, and I think this is actually now common in football. Just two years back Jordan Henderson lifted the trophy, and as a Liverpool fan I am happy to admit that if he were not a good and loyal leader he would probably play for a team like Newcastle or Palace. 
Fernandinho is usually on the bench for City, Maguire, while still important, only looks as good because he is playing next to someone average and for his position he is worse than Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani, Pogba, etc. Azpilicueta, while still an important voice is not a star player at Chelsea and could probably be just as helpful if he were on the touchline beside Tuchel. Mario Gaspar is much like Fernandinho in being benched most of the time. So in conclusion I think only 2 or less of the 4 captains will start in these hugely important games.


4: Strikerless City 
While City may play someone in the striker position, I predict City will not play an actual striker. Aguero has had a horrific season and Jesus has not really lived up to his potential and I doubt Guardiola will judge him to be ready for the biggest match in club football. Maybe a striker will be subbed on, but they won't start.


3: Offence is the best Defense 
Defenders rarely score in football, but the quality of the defenders in these two matches is spectacular. While I think there will more likely be a defender's goal in the Europa League, Ruben Dias, Stones, Laporte, Rudiger, Silva, Zouma, etc. could all strike in the UCL final.


2: Europa League Final 
So finally we get to the two big ones. First up: the Europa League Final. I predict a 3-2 Manchester United win. Villareal are a good side, but I think the star-power of United will eventually overcome them. I would predict Villareal to draw first blood, with Pau Torres firing home a header from a set piece delivery. Then a Cavani goal for United before Moreno scores a few minutes before half time. 
Then Man United snatch a second through Cavani again before Rashford grabs one sometime during between the 60th and 80th minute and United see it out. So Maguire to hoist the trophy after the final whistle. Man of the Match: Marcus Rashford with the winning goal and an assist.



1: Champions League Final 
And finally we have arrived at the big one. Who will be crowned Champions of Europe. I'm sure most football fans will probably be rooting for Chelsea, and I am the same. It might be optimistic, but I'm going to say 2-1 Chelsea. Werner to score in the first half. And no, I am neither mad nor his mother. 
Mahrez equalizes in the 50-somethingth minute. A brilliant late goal from Mount secures the trophy for the blues. The dark blues that is, I'm not predicting an own goal. Man of the Match: Mount with the winning goal and an assist.


So those are my predictions. Let's see if I get any right! I hope you enjoyed this post and please leave your comments and predictions in the comments below. I am considering doing a post on whether or not I got these right or if any of you got any predictions right. Should I do it? Please share in the comments. Bye! Noah (ㆆ _ ㆆ)

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