Real Madrid vs Man United: UEFA Super Cup Predictions & Match Preview

2017 UEFA Super Cup Odds

The Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia may only have a 30,500 capacity but it is set to be packed to the rafters as it prepares to host the 2017 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Manchester United, becoming the first UEFA final stages in the country.

Macedonia has been experiencing hot weather with temperatures reaching 40 degrees during the day. Because of this, UEFA has implemented two cooling breaks where the teams can pause for a drink on the 30th and 75th minutes. Although it will be cooler when the match kicks off, you would expect Madrid to be more accustomed to the hot conditions that the United side.

2017 Uefa Super Cup Betting Lines

Madrid go into the 2017 UEFA Super Cup as favorites with TopBet despite an abysmal preseason campaign. The 2016-17 La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners have been unconvincing in their warm-up games, losing 2-1 on penalties to Man United after a 1-1 draw, being hammered 4-1 by Man City and then slumping to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Madrid With Ronaldo And Gareth Bale

All eyes will be on former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo as he looks set to start with him nearing full fitness. He made almost 300 appearances for United and scored 118 goals and has since gone on to make 394 appearances for Madrid and has scored an incredible 406 goals.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move back to Manchester United after being investigated for irregularities with his tax returns, but he looks committed to the Madrid cause having scored 16 goals in his previous 10 games. It goes without saying that Ronaldo will be a key figure tonight.

Another key player for Madrid is Welsh forward Gareth Bale, another player linked with a move to Old Trafford. Bale was limited to 27 games last season after sustaining an ankle injury that sidelined him for four months. The talented forward is almost at full fitness and will be a constant thorn in United’s side.

Unlike Madrid, Manchester United have excelled in preseason, winning six of their seven games. The only blip on their record was a 1-0 loss at the hands of Barcelona so United will go into this game full of confidence. The Red Devils should hand full competitive debuts to summer signings Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof, but are definitely without the services of central defenders Eric Bailly and Phil Jones.

Bailly is serving the last of his two-game suspension for his red card in the UEFA Europa League semi-final while Jones was hit with a two-game ban for verbally abusing an anti-doping official after the Europa League final victory. Also looking doubtful are Sergio Romero and Jesse Lingard after the both missed the Red Devils final preseason game against Sampdoria.

Real Madrid vs Man United Best Picks

TopBet price United at +245 to win the UEFA Super Cup despite it being 12 years since an English club won the competition. Liverpool defeated CSKA Moscow in 2005 and since then United (once in 2008) and Chelsea (2012, 2013) have lost the match.

This battle is the 11th time these two Goliaths of soccer have locked horns on the pitch. United have won twice, there have been four draws and Madrid have won four times. Interestingly, four of the previous five meetings between Madrid and United have ended by triggering the over 2.5 goals market and this makes the -130 offered by TopBet look like a steal.

Despite a poor showing in preseason, I fancy Madrid to be too strong for United, especially as the English side is likely to have a makeshift defense. It is also worth noting that Champions League champions have won four of the last five UEFA Super Cups. I’ll be backing Madrid to win at -107 and staying away from the -105 being offered for a Madrid victory with a -0.5 handicap.

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : manchester united , real madrid , Soccer , UEFA Super Cup