Sadio Mane hat-trick? Our reporters make their bold predictions ahead of Champions League final

The 2019 Champions League final is nearly upon us. At 8pm on Saturday night Liverpool and Tottenham will do battle with the eyes of the world fixed on them.

Liverpool start the game as clear favourites, having reached the final last year and finishing 26 points above Spurs in the Premier League this season. But Tottenham’s dramatic route to the final has left many thinking their name is written on the trophy.

Before Saturday’s clash, we asked our team of reporters to forecast the score, man of the match and where the game will be won and lost, while also making one bold prediction each. Read what they had to say below.

Saturday’s Champions League final will take place at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

SCORE: Liverpool 2-1

Where the game be won and lost

Spurs didn’t end the season well and I fear they don’t have another big win in them. Liverpool have the momentum and perhaps the marginally stronger 11. Mane v Trippier feels like a mismatch. 

Likely man of the match

Virgil van Dijk

My bold prediction

Harry Kane to start on the bench.

Harry Kane has not played for Spurs since April but is fit and will either start or be on the bench

Harry Kane has not played for Spurs since April but is fit and will either start or be on the bench

ROB DRAPER

Score prediction  

Liverpool 3-1

Where the game be won and lost

Probably the full backs. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are ultimately more likely to win that battle. Maybe Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose will neutralise them early on. But, in the long haul, they’ll eventually be exposed. At least one or two assists for Liverpool’s goals will come from those two 

Likely man of the match

Sadio Mane. Vying with Son Heung-min to be the most understated footballing superstar of this generation. Gives you goals, assists, speed and technique. Van Dijk’s impact has been massive, which is why he took so much deserved credit. But Mane has been as good. 

My bold prediction

Maybe I’m just covering all options here. The above prediction is the most-likely outcome and is the one I need to be judged on. But I can see Mauricio Pochettino going 3-5-2 or maybe with kamikaze full backs in a 4-2-3-1. And unsettling Liverpool with their sheer freneticism of the press, thereby establishing an 2-0 lead at half time. Of course, in light of recent weeks, 2-0 leads (or even 3-0) aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. 

Liverpool's squad going through their paces at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday

Liverpool’s squad going through their paces at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday

LAURIE WHITWELL

Score prediction

Liverpool 3-2

Where the game be won and lost

Liverpool’s attacking potency will ultimately prove overwhelming 

Likely man of the match 

Sadio Mane 

My bold prediction

Harry Kane to come off the bench and score to give the match a nervy finish.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane could be a key player in Saturday's Champions League final in Madrid

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane could be a key player in Saturday’s Champions League final in Madrid

JOE BERNSTEIN

Score prediction

Liverpool 2-1… but let’s face it, anything could happen. I’m just giving Klopp’s team the edge because of their front three. 

Where the game be won and lost

Mohamed Salah. He is the one player in the country, even more than Eden Hazard, who can rip up and change a game on his own 

Likely man of the match

It’ll be Salah if Liverpool win but there’s a strong sense that Hugo Lloris could have a big night. To be World Cup and Champions League winning captain in consecutive seasons is something 

My bold prediction 

We don’t have a dramatic comeback or a last-minute goal! 

If Hugo Lloris performs at his best Tottenham will stand a good chance of causing an upset

If Hugo Lloris performs at his best Tottenham will stand a good chance of causing an upset 

Tottenham are battling to win the first ever Champions League trophy in their history

Tottenham are battling to win the first ever Champions League trophy in their history

MATT BARLOW

Score prediction

 2-2 and Spurs to win on pens. Name on the trophy etc. 

Where the game be won and lost

Who dominates in midfield? Can Spurs stop the supply to Salah and Mane? Can they tame Liverpool’s full backs and still exploit space behind them? Harry Winks is crucial to their balance. How sharp is Kane? Who can stay error-free under pressure? 

Likely man of the match

Christian Eriksen… big game player. Craft, vision and a steady temperament made for an occasion like this. Possibly his last game for Spurs. 

My bold prediction 

Moussa Sissoko to score. 

Moussa Sissoko will definitely start for Spurs... but will the midfielder get among the goals?

Moussa Sissoko will definitely start for Spurs… but will the midfielder get among the goals?

CRAIG HOPE

Score prediction

Liverpool 3-1 Spurs 

Where the game be won and lost

Liverpool are simply better, as the league table testifies. I fear Spurs played their final in Amsterdam and being here is a bonus. Salah and Mane will make the difference in the final third.

Likely man of the match

Jordan Henderson has been outstanding at the business end of the season and has been building towards a huge captain’s performance. 

My bold prediction 

A Mane hat-trick. 

Senegal international Mane arrived in Madrid with the rest of the Liverpool squad on Friday

Senegal international Mane arrived in Madrid with the rest of the Liverpool squad on Friday

ADRIAN KAJUMBA

Score prediction

Liverpool win 3-2

Where the game be won and lost

Both teams have good goalkeepers, central defenders and will carry big attacking threat.

But Liverpool’s fullbacks are stronger as a pair, especially going forward, and they are stronger in central midfield.

Those will be the two key areas in Madrid.

Likely man of the match

Think this could be one of those games where one of the tireless workers from either side gets that award.

Liverpool have a few of those in Robertson, James Milner and Jordan Henderson while Sissoko and Heung-min Son stand out for Spurs.

My bold prediction 

One of the goals scored in Madrid will come as a result of a bad goalkeeping mistake. 

Alisson will be hoping that he can produce an error-free performance in Saturday's showpiece

Alisson will be hoping that he can produce an error-free performance in Saturday’s showpiece

DOMINIC KING

Score prediction

Liverpool but it will be tight and if they do win it will only be by a single goal. I’d say 2-1 or 1-0. 

Where the game be won and lost

Whoever deals with the emotion and tension of the night best will gain the upper hand. Liverpool have the most potent attack and the stronger defence and that gives them the edge. They cannot shy away from the fact they are favourites. 

Likely man of the match

It feels like I’ve put Van Dijk’s name to this section in every game this season. If he plays well, Liverpool’s hopes of winning improve immeasurably. 

My bold prediction 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain comes off the bench and has a hand in the winning goal.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be among the Liverpool substitutes in Madrid

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be among the Liverpool substitutes in Madrid

SAMI MOKBEL

Score prediction

Liverpool win 3-1 

Where the game be won and lost

In Liverpool’s final third. How Tottenham deal with the Reds’ front three will be key. 

Likely man of the match 

Salah. Redemption for last year’s agonising (in every sense of the word) final loss to Real Madrid 

My bold prediction 

For Arsenal supporters to emigrate if Tottenham lift the trophy. 

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