Over the last five years, Spanish teams have ruled the European soccer scene. A Spanish team has won the Champions League in each of the last five years, with Real Madrid being responsible for four of those five wins, and a Spanish team has won the Europa League four times in the last five years. Along those lines, we will once again see two Spanish teams square off for the UEFA Super Cup when Atletico Madrid faces Real Madrid in Estonia on Wednesday. In each of the previous five seasons, the Champions League winner has gone on to win the UEFA Super Cup, but three of those five wins came in extra time, and Atletico will look to tally one for the Europa League.
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual competition that pits last season’s Europa League winner against last season’s Champions League winner. The match will take place at A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on Univision.
UEFA Super Cup Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atletico Madrid +192
Real Madrid +153
Draw +220
Over/Under 2 and 2.5
Coming into the match
Atletico Madrid seem to care about this cup a lot more than many other teams. While Europa League teams don’t typically fare against their Champions League opponents, Atletico has been the exception to the rule. They have won three Europa League titles this decade, and the year after their two previous wins, they went on to win the UEFA Super Cup. Neither victory was particularly close either. In 2010, they beat Inter Milan 2-0, and in 2012, they pummeled Chelsea 4-1.
Since these two teams share more than a league, there is more than just the cup on the line. The Madrid Derby is one of the biggest rivalries in European football. These two teams have squared off against each other over 200 times in the last 90 years, with Real Madrid largely holding the upper hand. In 219 meetings, Real Madrid has won 109 times. Atletico Madrid has won 55 times and the teams have drawn 55 times as well. A Real Madrid win here would give the club victories in exactly half of their games against Atletico.
Real Madrid Player to Watch
It looks like Thibaut Courtois will be making his debut for Real Madrid in this game. Real had been enamored with the goalkeeper for most of the summer, and after the World Cup was over, the club moved to acquire him. Courtois was given the Golden Glove for being the best goalkeeper at the World Cup. He was one of the main reasons that Belgium ended up finishing in third place, and it felt like he would eventually make the move to the Bernabeu even though Chelsea had hoped to keep him. Courtois is going to take over for Keylor Navas as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, and there will be a lot of pressure on him.
Atletico Madrid Player to Watch
This offseason, Atletico made a number of big moves in order to try to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga action. However, the biggest acquisition by a mile was that of winger Thomas Lemar. Atletico spent 70 million Euros to acquire Lemar from Monaco, and manager Diego Simone is excited about the prospect of Lemar teaming up with Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Even though Champions League teams have had the better of things, I think this time Atletico will be able to get it done. Atletico are familiar with Simone and what he asks of them, while Real Madrid have a new manager in Julen Lopetegui. Look for Atletico to edge out a victory on the strength of Jan Oblak and a sound defensive effort.
UEFA Super Cup Odds: Atletico Madrid 2, Real Madrid 1
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