The 2017 UEFA European Super Cup will take place on Tuesday 8th August at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia. The match was played at the Stade Louis II in Monaco between 1998 and 2012 but since then, UEFA have decided to take the match around Europe. Previous venues include Prague, Cardiff, Tbilisi and Trondheim.
This year the match will be contested between the Champions League winners, Real Madrid and Europa League winners, Manchester United. Real Madrid have won the trophy three times, including 2016 and Manchester United have won it once, back in 1991. Players of both sides must be prepared for what could be very difficult playing conditions as temperatures have continued to soar in Skopje. When the match kicks-off on Tuesday night the temperature is expected to be around 35 degrees.
Real Madrid Form
Zinedine Zidane has seen his team play 4 matches so far in preseason and they are yet to win a match inside normal time. Real Madrid have lost to Manchester City and Barcelona plus picked up 1-1 draws with Super Cup opponents Manchester United and the MLS All-Stars. They lost the penalty shootout against Manchester United but won it against the MLS All-Star team.
There have been no problems scoring goals for Zidane’s men as one would expect but preseason has seen them struggle defensively, conceding at least one goal in every game, including 4 against Manchester City and 3 against Barcelona. The transfer market has been quiet around the Santiago Bernabeu and to date Real Madrid have brought in left back Theo Hernandez and midfielder Dani Ceballos for under £50 million.
Manchester United Form
Jose Mourinho has enjoyed a decent preseason with Manchester United, both on and off the pitch. They have been one of the busiest teams in terms of matches played and have enjoyed victories over LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake City, Manchester City, Valerenga and Sampdoria. There was also the 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, which Manchester United won on penalties and a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona.
Mourinho has been busy in the transfer market and has brought in Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic. The clear aim is to strengthen the spine of the team while adding goals in Lukaku and freeing up Paul Pogba to play further forward.
Team News
Real Madrid could be without Gareth Bale who has reportedly picked up another injury. The Welshman has also been linked with a move away from the club. Cristiano Ronaldo could make an appearance and new signings Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos may start the match. Manchester United will miss defender Eric Bailly who is suspended. All three new signings, Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic, and Romelu Lukaku are expected to start.
Top Betting Tips
It has been almost 16 months since a team stopped Real Madrid from scoring in a match so this game is unlikely to finish in a clean sheet for Manchester United. The last 6 meetings between these teams have seen both teams score and you can get 4/6 with Ladbrokes for the same to happen in this game.
Manchester United seem to be further along in their preparations for this game and have every key player fit. Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to play any part for Real Madrid and Gareth Bale is rumoured to be less than 100% fit. Manchester United to win is available at 11/4 with William Hill. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been in good form in preseason and scored 6 goals in the Europa League last season. European competition seems to suit the Armenian and he can be backed at 14/5 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.