After Ilkay Gundogan claimed Man of the Match in last Saturday’s FA Cup final, we’ve priced up this Saturday’s Champions League final Man of the Match, with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne joint favourites at 4/1.

As we saw in the FA Cup final, Haaland can cut a peripheral figure with there being so much focus on him being in the right positions to get on the end of Manchester City’s moves. The Norwegian had the fewest touches of any City outfield player, and when he’s not scoring, he’s often not involved.

He’s 3/1 to score two or more in Saturday’s final, and considering the wealth of talent Pep Guardiola has at his disposal, he may well need to score at least two to win Man of the Match.

De Bruyne will be a popular pick and will no doubt have a part to play should City go on and complete the treble on Saturday night, and Gundogan will again look to catch the eye. Scoring a brace in what may be your penultimate game – as captain, no less – to win the FA Cup is a decent way of being named Man of the Match, and a similar performance in what may be his final game could see him pick up back-to-back awards.

There is a history of goalkeepers being named Man of the Match in the Champions League final. Thibaut Courtois’s masterclass last season the most recent, with Edwin Van der Sar and Oliver Kahn making crucial saves in penalty shoot-out wins.

As you'll see from the below table, where every player was on the winning team, it's a tall order to be on the losing side and still named the game's best player.

Champions League final Man of the Match winners since in the 21st century

Andre Onana will no doubt play a huge part should the underdogs emerge victorious and can be backed at 20/1. 

Lautaro Martinez didn’t cover himself in glory for Argentina at the World Cup, but has had another stellar season with 21 Serie A goals, and is Inter’s shortest-priced player at 10/1, representing the Nerazzurri’s most likely match winner.

For those looking for bigger prices in the market, John Stones may appeal at 25/1. The defender-cum-midfielder has taken his game to new levels since moving out of defence, stepping into midfield alongside Rodri, and could well have been named Man of the Match against Manchester United but for Gundogan’s brace.

At the very minimum you’d expect him to play well against Inter, and at 25/1, the England man should provide a decent run for punters’ money.

Champions League final Man of the Match winners since in the 21st century

Liam Williams

• Manchester City F.C.
• Inter Milan
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