Tonight sees the playing of the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul, a glorified friendly between the winner of last season’s Champions League, Liverpool, and the Europa League champions, Chelsea. At least there’s a trophy up for grabs.
This is the first time two teams from the Premier League will meet for this award, and the sides arrive with very different mindsets. Liverpool started the season with a commanding victory over Norwich at Anfield on Friday. They have a settled, talented side and an experienced, respected manager. Chelsea, on the flip side, are in a period of flux. Frank Lampard has been appointed as manager after just one season at Derby, star player Eden Hazard has left and an UEFA transfer ban means he can’t be replaced, while the team shipped four goals Sunday in a woeful defeat at Old Trafford.
While Chelsea are unlikely to play in such an open manner this evening, it’s difficult to look much past a Liverpool win. They are strong favourites, and the odds suggest thus. So how to play it? One of Liverpool’s stars from last season, Sadio Mane, has been slow to get back into the squad after playing late into the summer with his country. The attacking midfielder was a late substitute on Friday and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could use this match to give him more game time. We think he could be used as a substitute once more and will bank on him scoring the last goal of the game.
Recommendation: Mane to be the last goalscorer, 1 pt, at 9/2, bet365
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