THE Champions League final, the coup de grace of the football season, takes place at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Saturday (BT Sport 2, 8pm kick-off).

Liverpool finished 26 points ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League this season and thus, unsurprisingly, the 90-minute betting has the Merseysiders at 19/20, Spurs 16/5 and 13/5 that the tie requires extra time. Liverpool are 8/15 to lift the trophy, Tottenham 7/4 (Bet365). Over 2.5 goals are pitched at 10/11, under 19/20 (Unibet).

There is no standout candidate in the first goalscorer market, with the prices as follows: Mo Salah 9/2 (Betway), Sadio Mane 5/1 (Bet365), Harry Kane 27/5 (Unibet), Divock Origi 11/2, Daniel Sturridge 6/1, Roberto Firminio 13/2, Xherdan Shaqiri 15/2 (Boylesports), Rhian Brewster 15/2 (Paddy Power), Lucas Moura 9/1 (Boylesports), Fernando Llorente 9/1 (Boylesports), Son Heung-Min 9/1 (Bet365) and then it is 10/1 and upwards anyone else.

At the time of writing, the French Open tennis championship is in its embryonic stage. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are inevitably predicted to dominate the tournament, as the outright prices illustrate (all odds quoted are with bookmakers that provide each way betting ½ odds 1,2): Nadal 5/6, Djokovic 29/10, Dominic Thiem 8/1, Stefanos Tsitsipas 22/1, Roger Federer 25/1 and Alexander Zverev 35/1 (Betvictor). No other player is shorter than 50/1.

The ladies' event is harder to predict. Simona Halep is the 7/2 favourite; Kiki Bertens is 17/2 (Skybet), Naomi Osaka 11/1, Karolina Pliskova 12/1, Sloane Stephens 14/1, Serena Williams 16/1 (Skybet), Elina Svitolina 20/1, Ashleigh Barty 22/1 and thereafter it is 28/1 bar.

Rugby League’s Challenge Cup is at the quarter-final stage and all four matches are being televised. Hull play holders Catalans on Thursday (Sky Sports Arena, 7.35pm) and the hosts shade favouritism at 3/4 (Boylesports), Catalans are 5/4 (Betfred) and a draw 22/1 (Unibet). The handicap is Hull -2 at 19/20 (Unibet), Catalans 20/21 (Betway) and a tie 20/1.

The encounter tomorrow (Friday, Sky Sports Arena, 7.30pm) sees Hull Kingston Rovers line up against Warrington. The Wolves are 2/7 to devour their opponents; Hull KR are 3/1 and a draw 40/1 (Boylesports). The handicap is set at Hull KR +10 with the home side even money, Warrington 19/20 (Unibet) and a tie 20/1.

St Helens entertain Wakefield on Saturday (BBC1, 3.15pm) in what is foreseen as the most one-sided game. Saints are 1/5 (Betfair Sportsbook), Trinity 9/2 (Bet365) and a draw 33/1. St Helens are 19/20 (Unibet) off a -14 handicap, Wakefield even money and a tie 20/1.

The final match is an all-Championship Yorkshire derby between Bradford and Halifax (BBC2, 2.45pm). Bradford are 8/11, Halifax 11/8 (Hills) and a draw 25/1 (Ladbrokes). Once again the handicap is at -2 and the Bulls are 10/11, Halifax evens (Boylesports) and a tie 25/1.