As the 2017/18 season is close to beginning in Europe’s top divisions, the winners of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League still need to face off. Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid (Champions League winners) and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United (Europa League winners) make the trip to Macedonia to find out which side will be picking up the first piece of European silverware of the season. The Spanish giants have won the trophy three times (2002, 2014, 2016) while the Red Devils have only won it once (1991).

STATS

• Real Madrid’s form was brilliant at the back end of last season as they secured the La Liga title and the Champions League. They won eight of their last ten games, one of the losses came in the second-leg of their semi-final against Atletico Madrid which they won 4-2 on aggregate. Their last game of the season was the 4-1 domination of Juventus in the final of Europe’s most elite competition.
• Manchester United were very disappointing in the Premier League last season as they finished 6^th but their European triumph made up for it. They won just two of their last five games, one of which was the final of the Europa League as they failed miserably to make the top four. Their last game of the season was the comfortable 2-0 victory over Ajax in the final which secured them qualification to this season’s Champions League.
• There is no doubt who Real Madrid’s main threat is for the Super Cup and it comes in the form of a Portuguese forward who knows United far too well. Cristiano Ronaldo was the top scorer in the Champions League last term and he’ll be hoping to score against his former employers.
• The Europa League winners will be looking to new signing, Romelu Lukaku to lead them to victory in the Super Cup after his £75 million move from Everton. He has said he is desperate to impress against one of the world’s biggest sides.

HEAD TO HEAD

The two sides have met on four occasions in the 21^st Century and it has been fairly even as Real Madrid have won two while United have won one with the other ending as a draw. Both teams have scored in all four games and I expect this trend to continue in this one.

REAL MADRID NEWS

A win for Real Madrid would start their season perfectly as they look to retain their Spanish crown and it would provide a good confidence boost. With no injuries to worry about going into the new term, they have a great chance to pick up their first silverware of the season.

Latest matches: Real Madrid

03.08.2017	All	MLS All Stars	Real Madrid	3:5	W
30.07.2017	Inte	Real Madrid	FC Barcelona	2:3	L
27.07.2017	Inte	Manchester City	Real Madrid	4:1	L
23.07.2017	Inte	Real Madrid	Manchester United	2:3	L
03.06.2017	UEFA	Juventus Turin	Real Madrid	1:4	W

MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS

As Mourinho’s men look to win their first top flight title since 2013, a win in the Super Cup would give them a kick in the right direction. However, they have a crisis in defence as Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo are all unavailable for the clash meaning new signing, Victor Lindelöf could make his first competitive start.

Latest matches: Manchester United

02.08.2017	Club	Manchester United	Sampdoria Genoa	2:1	W
30.07.2017	Club	Valerenga IF	Manchester United	0:3	W
26.07.2017	Inte	FC Barcelona	Manchester United	1:0	L
23.07.2017	Inte	Real Madrid	Manchester United	2:3	W
21.07.2017	Inte	Manchester United	Manchester City	2:0	W

SUMMARY

Both sides are expected to treat this game somewhat like another pre-season as they are both in action in less than a week after the match. It could go either way but Real Madrid’s lack of absentees gives them the slight edge for victory. Neither side will be too disheartened if they don’t win but silverware is always nice and provides the perfect chance for a great start to the new season. It is Real Madrid’s game to lose.