Barcelona to continue Spanish Euro final dominance against English
Published:Spanish sides have dominated the most recent UEFA club competition finals with English opposition and this run can be extended by Barcelona this season.
In the last seven finals between clubs from the two nations, the Spanish side have triumphed on six occasions, including twice in the Champions League.
Both of these successes have been achieved by Barcelona, following their 2-1 victory over Arsenal in 2006 and their win over Manchester United in Rome in 2009.
Barcelona’s odds are 1/2 to lift the Champions League trophy, while it is 1/1 that they claim victory inside the 90 minutes, as they did two years ago.
Other recent victories for clubs from Spain include Atletico Madrid beating Fulham in the final of last season’s Europa League, Seville dominating Middlesbrough in the 2006 UEFA Cup final and Real Madrid edging past Chelsea in the final of the 1998 Super Cup.
The one victory for an English side in the last seven finals occurred when Liverpool beat Alaves 5-4 after extra time in the 2001 UEFA Cup.
However, it has been 20 years since an English team last won a final against Spanish opposition inside 90 minutes, which was ironically a Manchester United victory over Barcelona.
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed a first European honour as Manchester United manager when leading the team to a 2-1 victory in the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991.
It is 11/4 in the Champions League odds that Manchester United win in the 90 minutes and 13/8 that they simply lift the trophy.
If the game goes to penalties, the advantage has to lie with Barcelona as they have only ever lost a shoot-out once in six attempts in UEFA club competition.
On the flip side, Manchester United have won on penalties just once in three attempts.
A £30 stake on Barcelona beating Manchester United 3-0 would return £540. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
