Holders Real 5-6 to rule Europe once again

By Mark Langdon 5:12PM 11 MAY 2017

NO team have ever successfully defended the Champions League trophy but Real Madrid are odds-on to do just that after setting up a final against Juventus in Cardiff on June 3.

Bookmakers rate Real 5-6 favourites to lift the trophy with Juventus at 11-10 and Zinedine Zidane believes Gareth Bale could recover from a calf injury to take his place in a hometown final.

“He is recovering well and there is time for him to be ready for the final,” Zidane told the Real website. “I hope he’s ready before and I hope he can be with us more than anything. We’re a better team when he plays.”

Arsenal are hoping to qualify for next season’s Champions League and Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Southampton gives the Gunners a shot at finishing in the Premier League’s top four.

Arsene Wenger’s side are 5-2 and should they win their last three games (Stoke away, Sunderland and Everton home) it would require 4-11 Liverpool to win at West Ham and then beat Middlesbrough at home.