The 66th European Cup final will take place on 28 May 2022. Or broadly the 66th edition of the most prestigious club soccer competition in Europe will see its winner lifting the silverware on Saturday, the last weekend of May. Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France will have the privilege to host this gigantic clash between two heavyweights Liverpool and Real Madrid. Here SportsNile has brought in the UCL Final 2022 Preview and Prediction for soccer enthusiasts. Check out the Match Details, Kick-Off Time, TV Channels, Season Review, UCL Final Pathway, Recent Form, European Cup Final Pedigree, Probable Line-Ups, Score Prediction, Head-to-Head, as well as Coaches’ & Players’ Views. Italy vs Argentina (Finalissima Date, Venue, Ticket Sales).
UCL Final 2022 Preview and Prediction (Liverpool vs Real Madrid)
Find every detail of the 2022 UCL Final below.
Match Details:
Date | Saturday 28 May |
Kick-Off Time | 9 pm CET, 3 pm ET |
Venue | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France |
Match Identity | 66th European Final |
Participants | 6-time Champions Liverpool vs 13-time champions Real Madrid |
The 2022 UCL Final starts at 9 pm CET (3 pm ET in the US) on Saturday, 28th of May, 2022. Clement Turpin, a 40-years-old French football referee will conduct this high voltage encounter between 6-times champions English giant Liverpool and 13-times winner the most successful club in the competition’s history Real Madrid.
TV Channels and Live Streaming:
It’s a very crucial phase of this “UCL Final 2022 Preview and Prediction” content. Viewers are often asking about the UCL Final 2022 broadcasting TV channels and streaming platforms. In the United States, Paramount+ and CBS will televise the Liverpool vs Real Madrid live with English-language commentary. While TUDN USA as well as Univision will telecast the Spanish language coverage. Viewers with cable TV subscriptions can watch online through TUDN.com, TUDN App, and Univision Now. Cord-cutters in the country can still enjoy the actions thanks to a number of cord-cutting services. The list includes fuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, Hulu+ Live TV, as well as DirecTV Stream.
In the UK, BT Sport holds exclusive rights for UCL encounters. The final between Liverpool and Real Madrid will be available right on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. Actions will be available online through BTSport.com and BT Sport App. Australian watchers will have to wake up early the next morning to catch the actions at 5 am AEST. However, if someone lives in Western Australia, he will have to enjoy the actions late at night at 3 am. Stan Sport and 9Gem will provide live coverage throughout the country. Sub-continental soccer-crazy people often stay awake mid-night. The game will be live at midnight. Sony Ten networks will air the All Reds vs Los Blancos live. One can catch it through Sony Ten 2 on TV or via SonyLIV online.
Chart of 2022 UCL Final Broadcasting Channels and Platforms:
Country | Local Kick-Off Time | TV Channels/Online Streaming |
United States of America | 3 pm ET | Paramaount+, CBS, TUDN USA, Univision, TUDN App, TUDN.com, Univision Now, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Vidgo, Hulu+ Live TV, DirecTV Stream |
United Kingdom | 9 pm CET | BT Sport 1, BT Sport Ultimate, BT Sport.com, BT Sport App |
Australia | 5 am AEST (3 am in WA) | Stan Sport, 9Gem |
India | 12:30 am IST | Sony Ten 2, SonyLIV |
Season Review of 2 Sides:
In the UCL Final 2022 Preview and Prediction, we will discuss the season Review of the 2 sides here.
Liverpool Season Review:
The All Reds have been enjoying a brilliant run of form this season. Apart from some individual brilliance, they have been performing as a team. Jurgen Klopp’s tactics worked as the side’s main weapon. Players have performed in almost every position. In fact, Klopp has managed to sparkle the form of his substitute as well as reserve players. This is what made the Anfield-based side so dynamic and successful. The side which could rarely win trophies before Klopp’s arrival has bagged 2 titles already. They have clinched both the domestic cups this season Fa Cup and Carabao Cup. Although they might lose the EPL title to Man City falling just a point behind. But they are just a step away to lift the biggest prize in European club football. They had been so astonishing that with just a game left, they are yet to lose a league game in 2022!
Real Madrid Season Review:
Real Madrid also had a pretty amazing 2021-22 campaign. Every Blancos fan will remember this campaign especially due to a series of unbelievable comebacks. Real Madrid enjoyed a pretty comfortable league victory, unlike the All Reds who faced very strong competition from Man City to eventually lose the title. While the only disappointment the Galacticos have had so far this season has been their elimination from the Copa Del Rey. Athletic Bilbao knocked them out of the quarterfinals shattering their treble dream.
However, the UCL campaign will be ever-green in Madridistas’ memories. The Santiago Bernabeu-based side was trailing in each of their knockout ties in the UCL. But somehow they have raised from the ruins and snatched the opposition’s places in the next rounds. Benzema has been the major architect of most of those comebacks while Modric, Nacho, Rodrygo, Courtois, and almost every on-the-pitch roaster have contributed significantly.
UCL Final Pathway:
Fixture/Tie | Liverpool | Real Madrid |
Group Stage, Game Week 1 | 3-2 Win vs AC Milan | 1-0 Win vs Inter Milan |
Group Stage, Game Week 2 | 5-1 Win vs Porto | 1-2 Defeat vs Sheriff |
Group Stage, Game Week 3 | 3-2 Win vs Atletico Madrid | 5-0 Win vs Shakhtar Donetsk |
Group Stage, Game Week 4 | 2-0 Win vs Atletico Madrid | 2-1 Win vs Shakhtar Donetsk |
Group Stage, Game Week 5 | 2-0 Win vs Porto | 3-0 Win vs Sheriff |
Group Stage, Game Week 6 | 2-1 Win vs AC Milan | 2-0 Win vs Inter Milan |
Round of 16, 1st Leg | 2-0 Win vs Inter Milan | 0-1 Defeat vs PSG |
Round of 16, 2nd Leg | 0-1 Defeat vs Inter Milan | 3-1 Win vs PSG (3-2 on Aggregate) |
Quarterfinal, 1st Leg | 3-1 Win vs Benfica | 3-1 Win vs Chelsea |
Quarterfinal, 2nd Leg | 3-3 Draw vs Benfica (6-4 on Aggregate) | 2-3 Defeat vs Chelsea (5-4 on Aggregate) |
Semifinal, 1st Leg | 2-0 Win vs Villarreal | 3-4 Defeat vs Man City |
Semifinal, 2nd Leg | 3-2 Win vs Villarreal (5-2 on Aggregate) | 3-1 Win vs Man City (6-5 on Aggregate) |
Final | ? vs Real Madrid | ? vs Liverpool |
Liverpool Final Pathway to the UCL Final:
The following chart shows that Liverpool had a comparatively smoother pathway than Real Madrid. They have dominated all of their opponents in almost every tie and fixture. After winning all 6 group stage clashes the only game defeat they faced was against Inter Milan in the RO16 2nd leg. However, their 1st leg victory proved enough for them and they never actually struggled to reach the finals. Benfica earned a hard-fought draw in the 2nd leg of the quarterfinal. But Villarreal almost gave a mini heart attack to the All Reds fans in the 1st half of the semifinal’s 2d leg when the Yellow Submarines made the scorecard level. Apart from these, Liverpool never faced serious problems on their way to Paris.
Real Madrid Final Pathway to the UCL Final:
Real Madrid produced a series of magnificent comebacks throughout the knockout phase. Their season started with a shocking defeat against Sheriff in the 2nd game of the group stage. But after topping the group, Los Blancos were on the verge of exits in the RO16, Quarterfinal, and Semi. They were just minutes away from elimination but somehow, someone emerged as their savior and they survived. An 18-minute hat-trick from Benzema against PSG, late Rodrygo & Benzema strikes against Chelsea, and 2 very late goals in 2 minutes from Rodrygo against the Citizens presented them alive for the final in Paris.
Recent Form:
Here we will present to you the very recent form of both Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Liverpool
Opponent | Result | Competition |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | TBC | English Premier League |
Southampton | 2-1 Win | English Premier League |
Chelsea | 0-0 (6-5 Win in Shoot-Out) | FA Cup |
Aston Villa | 2-1 Win | English Premier League |
Tottenham | 1-1 Draw | English Premier League |
Villarreal | 3-2 Win | UEFA Champions League |
So with the game week 38 fixture yet to be played, the All Reds have won 4 out of their last 5 encounters. The only draw came against Tottenham in early May. The FA Cup final against the Blues also ended in a goalless draw but Klopp’s lads eventually won the thriller in a penalty shoot-out.
Real Madrid
Opponent | Result | Competition |
Real Betis | TBC | Spanish La Liga |
Cadiz | 1-1 Draw | Spanish La Liga |
Levante | 6-0 Win | Spanish La Liga |
Atletico Madrid | 0-1 Defeat | Spanish La Liga |
Manchester City | 3-1 Win | UEFA Champions League |
Espanyol | 4-0 Win | Spanish La Liga |
Carlo Ancelotti’s side has won 3 out of 5 of their last 5 fixtures. The only defeat (in the last 5) came against city rival Atletico Madrid away from the home. However, they are yet to take part in their last league game of the campaign against Real Betis.
European Cup Final Pedigree
Parameter | Liverpool | Real Madrid |
Number of Appearances | 09 | 16 |
Win | 06 | 13 |
Defeat | 03 | 03 |
Goals Scored | 13 | 42 |
Goals Conceded | 11 | 23 |
Latest Appearance | vs Tottenham, 2019 (2-0 Win) | vs Liverpool, 2018 (3-1 Win) |
Both sides will be heading to Paris with victories in their respective latest UCL final appearances. Real Madrid is the side to feature in the highest number of UCL finals, 16. They have won more than 75% of those fixtures with 13 victories and losing just 3. On the contrary, Liverpool took part in 9 finals, winning two-thirds (6) of them. Interestingly, the last time Liverpool lost a UCL final was against Real Madrid in 2018. While the last time Real Madrid faced Liverpool in the French capital Paris, the All Reds handed Los Blancos a 1-0 defeat.
Probable Line-Ups
Take a look at the probable line-ups of both sides in the final. It’s one of the most crucial parts of this article, “UCL Final 2022 Preview and Prediction”.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita; Salah, Mané, Luis Díaz.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Éder Militão, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modrić; Valverde, Benzema, Vinícius Júnior.
Both sides are expected to go with a 4-3-3 formation. Liverpool goalline would be guarded by Brazilian Alisson. The Reds’ defense would consist of Alexander-Arnold in the right, Konate & VVD in the center, and Andy Robertson in the left. The midfield would feature Fabinho in the more defensive role and Thiago Alcantara in the creative role along with the club captain Jordan Henderson. However, with Thiago being uncertain for the final, Keita might come into the starting xi. Klopp’s front 3 would be no doubt Salah, Mane, and Diaz. Reports say Salah is fit and ready to start. Diogo Jota and Firmino will be 2 vital substitute options for the Reds boss. Naby Keita, James Milner, and Konstantinos Tsimikas should have their time on the pitch.
Madrid’s goal stopper Thibaut Courtois should be guarded by Dani Carvajal (RB), Eder Militao (CB), David Alaba (CB), and Ferland Mendy (LB) in front of him. The iconic Kroos-Casemiro-Modric trio would be their lethal option in the heat of the ground. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema will act as the attacking spearhead with Vinicius Jr on his left and Fede Valverde on his right.
Thiago Injury Update for the UCL Final 2022:
Thiago Alcantara suffered an Achilles injury during the Wolves game. And now he is uncertain to start in the final against Madrid. Klopp couldn’t give the confirmation and we’ll have to wait for the final outcome.
Score Prediction:
It’s a highly tough task to predict the correct scoreline of such a clash of giants. Even the best soccer experts will have wrinkles on their foreheads to predict such a fixture. Both sides do come with a champion mentality. Liverpool and Real Madrid, both sides are playing incredibly wonderful football. The two contesting sides have enough ammo in their tank to destroy any side. But when it comes to the battle of the 2 best playing sides of the season, then you can’t keep anyone ahead actually.
Well, still we have to predict and our experts have come up with their predictions after hair-splitting analysis. They have labeled Liverpool as a comparatively more balanced side while they mentioned the comeback mentality and records will talk for Real Madrid. The experts are expecting a truly competitive game and victory of a narrow margin. They have also put their money into a Liverpool victory. Their prediction is either a 3-2 or a 2-1 victory for Klopp’s side and revenge for the 2018 UCL final at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine.
So, the outcome of our “UCL Final 2022 Preview and Prediction” is a narrow margin victory for Liverpool. World Cup 2022 Winner Prediction.
Head-to-Head:
Date | Fixture | Venue | Outcome |
April 14th, 2021 | UCL Quarterfinals 2nd Leg | Anfield | 0-0 Draw |
April 6th, 2021 | UCL Quarterfinals 1st Leg | Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano | 3-1 Victory for Real Madrid |
May 26th, 2018 | UCL Final | NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium | 3-1 Victory for Real Madrid |
November 4th, 2014 | UCL Group Stage (B) | Estadio Santiago Bernabeu | 1-0 Victory for Real Madrid |
October 22nd, 2014 | UCL Group Stage (B) | Anfield | 3-0 Victory for Real Madrid |
Liverpool boss will definitely tell his lads to not have a look at the club’s previous records against Real Madrid. The Reds have no single victory in their last 5 meetings against the Spanish giants. 4 out of the last 5 meetings ended in Real Madrid victories while the only draw came in the very last h2h between the 2 sides at Anfield. In fact, Klopp himself has failed to beat Real Madrid after taking the Liverpool manager’s role. In his 3 meetings with the Galacticos as a Liverpool manager, he has tasted 2 defeats and managed to draw the other one. However, he will take condolences from his success with Borussia Dortmund which saw the Whites getting elimination from the UCL semifinals in the 2012-13 campaign.
No wonder, the Reds will be eager to break their deadlock against the Spanish giants this time. On the other hand, Madridistas as well as their superstars will certainly feel satisfied looking at the recent h2h record over and over.
Coaches’ & Players’ Views:
At the very last phase of the UCL Final 2022 preview and prediction, we will bring you the coaches’ & players’ views on this fixture.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has labeled it as outstanding and massive. He also expresses that it feels like the first one because it’s always so special. Highest-Paid Premier League Managers in 2022.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid boss: “Something strange has happened. Since the start of the season, we have played very strong sides who believed they’d win the UCL – PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City. Credit goes to the players and our fanbase, who push and push and push. The shirt carries weight – the pride of the club. For me, a final with Liverpool is like a derby because I continue to be an Evertonian.”
Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah couldn’t hide his excitement and said that they have a score to settle indicating the 2018 final’s defeat in Kyiv. Top Stars to Miss the FIFA World Cup 2022.