On June 1, Tottenham and Liverpool will meet at the Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, to decide the winner of the 2018-19 Champions League, a finale that will represent a proud day for English football fans and all of those associated with the national game.

In fact, the success of the Premier League in European competition is illustrated by the fact that two other English teams; Manchester City and Manchester United, got as far as the quarter-finals of the Champions League, while another two; Chelsea and Arsenal, are set to fight out the final of the Europa League in Baku three days before the Champions League set piece.

Both teams reached the final courtesy of dramatic semi-final second legs, with both appearing to be on their way out of the competition at various stages. But Tottenham prevailed in Amsterdam against Ajax with a goal by Lucas Moura in the very last moments of the game, while Liverpool staged one of football’s most remarkable comebacks, overturning a 3-0 first leg deficit against Barcelona to win 4-3 in what was a memorable night on Merseyside.

So, who will prevail in this battle of English football? According to the bookmakers, Liverpool are the overwhelming favourites. Betcris have them installed as the -104 favourites, with Tottenham at +293 and the normal time draw priced up at +239.

On the basis of league form, it is hard to argue about those odds. Liverpool, who missed out on the Premier League title by a single point, finished an astonishing 26 points ahead of Tottenham, who ended their campaign in fourth, one point ahead of rivals Arsenal.

But their two Premier League meetings were much closer than their finishing positions in the league might suggest. At the end of March, Liverpool edged out their London rivals 2-1 at Anfield, thanks to a 90th minute own goal from Toby Alderweireld; a result that was harsh on the visitors. And 2-1 was the final score in their first league encounter of the season, back in September, when Liverpool edged it thanks to goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.

The good news for fans and neutrals alike is that both teams will be more or less at full strength. The biggest doubt is Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who has been out for two months with ankle ligament damage, but he is reportedly confident of being fit for the big game, while Liverpool striker Firmino is also expected to be fit, and will once again play alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

These two teams are old adversaries, of course, and that can sometimes make for a tense and scrappy stalemate, but given the swashbuckling style and drama that they have produced so far in this competition, there is every chance that the Champions League final could be as thrilling as the semi-finals, and serve as a fitting way to end what has been a rollercoaster of a season.