The prestigious UEFA Champions League final takes place on Saturday, June 3, as Juventus battle out against Real Madrid. With Juve winning the Serie A and Madrid claiming the La Liga title, both sides will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinets.
On Sunday, June 4, Netherlands host Ivory Coast in an international friendly. The Ivorians will be hoping to salvage the bragging rights as they take on the Oranje in front of their home crowd, however, it will not be an easy task.
TP Mazembe take on SuperSport United in the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday. Matsatsantsa will be gunning to secure an away win. On the other hand, the home side is undefeated and will be looking to continue their run of form.
Juventus v Real Madrid (Champions League)
League rankings: Juventus 1st (Serie A) Real Madrid 1st (La Liga)
Useful facts: Undoubtedly the biggest club game on the footballing calendar sees reigning Champions League champions, Real Madrid, take on the team that they beat for their first European Cup in the modern era, Juventus, who they beat in the 1998 final. Both teams are league champions and will be looking to put the cherry on top of their incredible respective campaigns. With five wins from their last six, compared to Juve's four, Real are in slightly better form, but Juve has the upper hand in recent encounters, with three wins and just one loss against their last six opponents. However, since the Italians last lifted the trophy in 1996, Real have won the competition five times and the contrasting mindsets ahead of the game will play a major role.
Brandon Theron: Juventus
Netherlands v Ivory Coast (International friendly)
FIFA rankings: Netherlands 32nd Ivory Coast 48th
Useful facts: The Netherlands have lost three of their last five games, while Ivory Coast have lost just once in that timeframe. However, in their last meeting, back in the 2006 World Cup, it was Oranje that came away with the win. The Elephants will be hoping to use this opportunity to make a statement of intent, having already beaten European teams – Sweden and Russia – earlier this year.
Brandon Theron: Netherlands
TP Mazembe v SuperSport Utd (CAF Confederation Cup)
League rankings: TP Mazembe 1st (DR Congo Super Ligue) SuperSport 5th (Absa Premiership)
Useful facts: The reigning champions have won only two of their last six games in the continental competition, but are also undefeated in that timeframe. SuperSport, on the other hand, have lost just two of their last eight in all competitions and will be hoping to pick up some momentum as they look ahead to the Nedbank Cup final towards the end of next month.
Brandon Theron: SuperSport
