The most successful club in Europe will face a team that is vying for this trophy for the first time in the 47th edition of the UEFA Super Cup.
After winning nail-biting finals the previous season, Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt square off in the European Super Cup Final in Helsinki.
The team led by Carlo Ancelotti defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final, and the road to the title was paved with thrilling comebacks and a reluctance to give up when they ought to have been eliminated.
Of course, Eintracht’s dramatic victory in the championship game, which they won in a penalty shootout, broke the hearts of the massive traveling army of Rangers supporters in Seville.
This will be the second-ever meeting between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt after the 1960 European Cup final which saw Los Blancos run out 7-3 winners at Hampden Park. Alfredo Di Stéfano would bag a hat-trick while Ferenc Puskás scored four times.
Form Guide: Real Madrid
This was Los Blancos’ 14th Champions League triumph, with five of these coming in the last nine seasons. It completed a historic season for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who’d also regained the La Liga title and beaten Barcelona in the Supercopa de España Final. This is just the third time, after 1957 and 2017, that Real won La Liga, the European Cup as well as another trophy in the same season.
There’s no disguising the Super Cup is well down the list of priorities among the big guns of Europe and Real will be using this as preparation for their big La Liga kick-off at the weekend against Almeria.
Their pre-season was the usual glamour tour of the world and they defeated Juventus 2-0 in their final game last week in Los Angeles.
Form Guide: Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt meantime lifted their first major European silverware since 1980 to conclude last season.
The Eagles beat Olympiacos, Real Betis, Barcelona, West Ham, and then Rangers on penalties as they were crowned Europa League winners in Seville. This means Oliver Glasner will lead Frankfurt into the Champions League group stages for the very first time, with this a taster of what’s to come next month.
Eintracht have played two official matches this season, won 4-nil in the DFB Pokal Round 1, and lost woefully to Bayern Munich in their first Bundesliga game of the season.
How the game could go
This game precedes La Liga’s opening weekend. Since winning their record-extending 14th European Cup at Liverpool’s expense last season Real have exclusively played friendlies in the build-up. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have predominantly been stationed in the United States facing rivals Barcelona and Juventus with a meeting with Mexican outfit Club America sandwiched in between.
As for Eintracht, they got their Bundesliga campaign underway, but it couldn’t have gone any more disastrously. German champions Bayern were the visitors to Deutsche Bank Park and would race into a 5-0 lead by half-time. Frankfurt pulled one back after the break though it was a mere consolation as Julian Nagelsmann’s side recorded a statement-making 1-6 win.
Los Blancos are the favorites to win this match. As it stands, Frankfurt is on the low side, and they have to play at a top level if they want to win.
Betting Predictions
Real Madrid to Win
Real Madrid are in fine form ahead of this match. They drew and won their last two preseason games. Madrid just won their 14th UCL title in May and is in good spirit to win the Super Cup and Club World Cup. Frankfurt have struggled against tougher oppositions and lost woefully against Bayern Munich this season already. Real will see this match as a walk in the park for them and as preparation for the tough season ahead. Bet9ja have 1.50, 1xbet have 1.47 and Paripesa have 1.47 odds.
Over 2.5 Goals
Eintracht Frankfurt will be licking their wounds in the lead-up to the UEFA Super Cup following their dismal 6-1 reverse at home to Bayern Munich on the opening weekend of the new Bundesliga campaign. Eintracht was torn to shreds by the star-studded Bavarians and their lackluster defending could see them tossed around in a similar style by Real Madrid. Los Blancos have the quality to burn in attack and the goals could flow in Helsinki when they get their claws into the porous Frankfurt backline. With that in mind, bettors are advised to consider the over 2.5 goals market. Bet9ja have 1.63 odds, Paripesa have 1.69, and 1xbet have 1.69 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema
French forward Karim Benzema was Real Madrid’s man for the big occasion the last term and the veteran striker notched an incredible ten goals in the knockout rounds of the Champions League during Los Blancos’ run to glory. The 34-year-old will be determined to get his name in lights again in Wednesday’s Super Cup clash in Finland and Benzema looks a superb option in the anytime goal scorer stakes. Bet9ja have 1.80 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 1.67.
Vinicius Jr
It was Real Madrid’s Vinicius Júnior who scored the winning goal in the UCL final to book their place here, the Brazilian had a very good season last campaign as he was the second most productive player for his side. Frankfurt would have a hard time holding the winger back and not letting him in on the scoring today, with also a good preseason on his books he is sure to produce a top performance today. Bet9ja have 2.60 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.60.
Anytime Goalscorer (Frankfurt)
Rafael Borré
Booking Frankfurt’s Super Cup place was Rafael Borré with an equalizer and the winning penalty. The Colombian has now found the net in each of the last three European stages. If Frankfurt is to find a way to cause an upset in today’s game, he is sure to be the right person to do the job. Bet9ja have 4.20 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.00.
Lucas Alario
Lucas Alario had a great preseason with this Frankfurt and now coming into this game with a bit of confidence as he has scored two goals in his previous four games this preseason. He just transferred from Leverkusen and the forward looks to be a good fit up front for Frankfurt. He looks like he can impress here today with a goal or two. Bet9ja have 4.25 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.80.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
