The Champions League Final is here. The champions of League 1, PSG, are taking on the Premier League champions, Arsenal. PSG are looking to claim back-to-back Champions League titles, while Arsenal are looking for European glory for the first time in the club’s history.
PSG are +135 favorites on the moneyline, while a draw is available at +30. Meanwhile, Arsenal are +215 to pull off the upset in regular time on DraftKings Sportsbook. In terms of odds to life the trophy, PSG are listed at -145 while Arsenal are +120.
Here are my picks to score the first goal of the Champions League Final.
PSG vs. Arsenal First Goalscorer Picks
This is a fantastic Champions League Final matchup. Both teams won their domestic leagues, showing that it was no fluky run to the Champions League final. These are firmly two of the five best teams in Europe. Not only is it a high-quality matchup, but it’s fascinating stylistically. Arsenal are arguably the best defensive team in Europe and want to be compact and wait for their chance to steal a goal on a set-piece or counter-attack. Meanwhile, PSG is arguably the best attacking team in Europe. They have players who can create magic out of nowhere and score goals in a flash. Whichever team can dictate the pace and flow of the game should ultimately be the winner.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (+650)
PSG has the best group of forward players in the world. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia make up a remarkable front three. Nobody is better at scoring counter-attacking goals than Paris-Saint Germain. Normally, Arsenal would be the best hope to slow down that counter-attack. However, the injury to Jurrien Timber at right back does leave them short-handed defensively. Timber is expected to be fit enough to be in the squad for this final, but not to get the start. Cristhian Mosquera is expected to get the start at right back and he has a substantial step down from Timber, who has been one of the best right backs in the Premier League this season.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the man that can take advantage of Mosquera down PSG’s attacking left side. Kvaratskhelia has had a tremendous Champions League campaign. In 13 starts, he has 10 goals and six assists. Only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe scored more goals than Kvaratskhelia in the Champions League this season. He has only gotten better as the competition has gone on. Kvaratskhelia scored three goals across two legs with Chelsea, scored against Liverpool in the quarter-finals and scored a brace in the first leg against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is my pick to score the first goal of the Champions League Final.
Gabriel Magalhaes (+3000)
PSG is the worthy favorite in this final and has the more dangerous attacking players. That is why I am looking to back a Paris Saint-Germain player to score the first goal of the Champions League Final. However, if Arsenal are able to dictate the match and establish themselves defensively, the tide could start to turn. Arsenal are the best team in the world from set pieces. If they are to catch PSG in this final and score the first goal of the match, it will likely come from a set piece. Declan Rice delivers beautiful balls in most of those Arsenal set pieces, giving the big athletic players like Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Viktor Gyokeres a chance to get their head on it.
That is why my favorite value pick to be the first goalscorer of the Champions League Final is Gabriel. Gabriel scored three goals in the Premier League and one in the Champions League this season. He has been good for at least three goals in each of his past five seasons in the Premier League. Gabriel has the size advantage over both PSG center-halfs. Saliba and Gabriel will have the tallest heads in the penalty are on corner kicks. Between the two of them, Gabriel is the more adept header of the ball. He has a real chance to be the surprise first goalscorer of this match.
