THE Champions League final, the last football showpiece before the World Cup next month takes place on Saturday (BT Sport 1, 7.45pm kick-off) at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev.

In a repeat of the 1981 European Cup final, Real Madrid and Liverpool are vying for glory and the 12-times winners are favourites with the bookmakers to make it 13. The match prices are Real 13/10 (Hills), a draw 3/1 (Paddy Power) and Liverpool 11/5 (Unibet), while Los Blancos are 8/11 to lift the trophy and the Reds 5/4.

Cristiano Ronaldo heads a star-studded first goalscorer market. The Portuguese maestro is at 16/5 (Hills), Egyptian goal machine Mohamed Salah is 23/5 (Unibet), Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are both 13/2, Moya Mayoral and Roberto Firmino 15/2, Alarcon Isco 8/1 and Sadio Mane 9/1. Sergio Ramos, who netted in the 2016 final against Atletico, is a 25/1 chance with Hills. Ronaldo and Salah are only 16/1 and 20/1 respectively (Betway) to notch a hat-trick.

Liverpool have been renowned for being involved in high-scoring encounters this season and it is reflected in the total goals market. Over 3.5 goals is a 23/20 shot and Over 4.5 only 14/5 (Unibet). Punters wishing to swim against the tide and back a lower-scoring match can take prices such as Under 3.5 goals at 8/11 (Betfair Sportsbook) or Under 2.5 at 7/4. No First Goalscorer (in preference to 0-0 because if the only goal(s) scored in the game are own goals they will not count) is 20/1 (Bet365).

Recommending a wager for such an open-looking contest is not easy and it is probably a match to enjoy in the pub with a minimum stakes bet merely adding to the entertainment. Real edging a five-goal thriller at 20/1 (Hills) is a fair price considering both teams have goals in them.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3 Liverpool 2.

The rest of the UK football action focuses on the English play-off finals at Wembley. Aston Villa versus Fulham (Saturday 5pm, Sky Sports Football) determines who gets to play Manchester City or Wigan Athletic next season and the bookies believe the Cottagers will avoid a trip to the DW Stadium; Fulham are 11/8, a draw 11/5 and Villa 12/5. Betvictor make Fulham 8/11 for promotion while Skybet lay Villa at 5/4.

Rotherham meet Shrewsbury on Sunday (Sky Sports Football, 3pm) and despite finishing eight points below their Shropshire opponents, the layers fancy the Millers to edge it: Rotherham are 7/5, while both a draw and Shrewsbury are 23/10. Rotherham are 3/4 (Betway) to go up, the Shrews 6/5 (Betvictor).

Coventry and Exeter on Monday (Sky Sports Football, 3pm) is also expected to be close; Coventry are 8/5 (Betway), a draw 11/5 and Exeter 2/1. The Sky Blues are 4/5 to be playing League 1 football next season, while the Grecians are even money.