Today marks the official end of the season for top-flight European soccer, as Liverpool and Real Madrid face off for the UEFA Champions League title. There is another match tomorrow for promotion to the Premier League, but this takes much greater importance because this is the ultimate match in European club soccer.
Of course, it’s not the only event taking place today. We’ve got USFL, hockey and MLS action to play today, so we have plenty of choices. Hopefully, we can make up for the failed prop bet of Jameson Taillon, who unexpectedly went eight innings yesterday and pushed above his strikeout total. Here are my best bets for May 28.
LIVERPOOL AND BTTS, +230
Remember, a bet on the result for the Champions League only applies through 90 minutes; you’ll need to bet on who lifts the trophy for anything that happens in extra time to count. But I don’t think Liverpool will need extra time in this situation, as I expect that the Reds are the stronger side and will be able to succeed where other teams have failed. This Real Madrid side has been sneaking through time and time again, and I think the luck ends here.
BREAKERS -5.5, -110
New Orleans is in prime position to lock down a playoff spot. All the Breakers need to do is win this game and have Tampa Bay lose, and they’ll be right on the doorstep to clinch next week. They’re facing a Michigan team that doesn’t have much of an offense at all, and if you’re not able to score against New Orleans, you’re going to have a hard time keeping up. I like the under as well, but I think New Orleans controls this from start to finish.
RANGERS ML, -110
Is Rod Brind’Amour a great coach or a bad one? It’s tough to tell, because he gets the most out of his team on home ice (when he gets the second line change) but can’t get anything done on the road in the playoffs (when the other team can react to his changes). Whatever it is, the Hurricanes are just not getting the job done away from home, and I don’t like their chances in the Garden. The Rangers should be the pick here.
TORONTO FC ML, +170
Chicago are losers in four of their past five trips away from Soldier Field and drew the other match, and the Fire have never done well against Toronto anyway. If you want to get really aggressive, I’d play the Reds and under 2.5 at +525, as Chicago has been a poor-scoring team all season, but Toronto’s leaky defense tells me that I shouldn’t get greedy here. Taking TFC moneyline should work well for me.
INTER MIAMI ML, +145
Portland’s traveling across the country to play this match, and the Timbers have just one win away from home all season (and it was Vancouver, which is in the midst of a terrible season). Inter Miami has won four of five at home with a draw as the other result. The value here lies with the Herons, even with them playing a midweek match in the U.S. Open Cup at Orlando. There’s a big difference between heading four hours down Florida’s Turnpike and heading five hours southeast on a flight.
