Preview:Preview: Real Madrid vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

The most prestigious club competition in European football will host its final at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev on Saturday night as La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid take on Premier League giants Liverpool for the Champions League trophy.

Zinedine Zidane's Madrid could make history this weekend by winning the Champions League for a third consecutive year, while Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool will be looking to clench their first European trophy since 2005.

Real Madrid

Los Blancos have a notorious record in the Champions League, having won the competition twelve times since its establishment in 1955.

Madrid have been involved in several breathtaking European finals over the years, dating back to a 7-3 annihilation over Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960. The Champions League final in 2002 saw former player Zidane score what is considered to be one of the greatest goals in the competition's history, in his side's 2-1 win over Bayern Leverkusen. Other notable finals include a 4-1 thrashing over Atletico Madrid in 2014 and an identical scoreline against Juventus last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been the spear of Madrid's attack for the last nine years since his £80 million transfer from Manchester United, a world record fee at the time. The Portuguese forward has scored 120 goals in the Champions League during his career, more than any other player in the competition's history.

Madrid boss Zidane has continued his legacy at the Santiago Bernabeu as a coach, however he made his name at the club as a sedate midfielder renowned for exceptional ball control and vision. Winning the Champions League in his first season, Zidane led his team to the La Liga title the following campaign and was named the FIFA World Player of the Year for a third time. Since returning to the club as manager, Zidane has won eight trophies, including the double in 2017.

As the season draws to a close, Madrid will not have much domestic success to look back on. A quarter-final exit from the Copa Del Rey at the hands of Leganes was followed by a third place finish in La Liga, paving the way for rivals Barcelona to retain a 25th league title.

The club's disappointing form in their home nation has not improved in recent weeks, having won just once in their last five matches. An underperforming defence has been at the core of Madrid's issues this campaign, with one clean sheet in their last 11 fixtures across all competitions. However, Real Madrid have shown what they are capable at times this month, including a 2-2 draw against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and a 6-0 thumping against Celta Vigo.

On the European stage, Real Madrid have performed at an impressive level this season. Zidane's side overcame Paris Saint-Germain 5-2 in the Round of 16, which was a surprising result as the French club were considered to be one of the favourites to win the competition. A 97th minute Ronaldo winner was the difference in a controversial 4-3 victory over Juventus in the quarter-finals, his tenth against the Italian outfit in the Champions League. Another 4-3 result saw Madrid edge past Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, as Karim Benzema scored a second-leg brace to put the game to bed. Madrid's excellent European form means that the club go into the final having scored thirteen goals in the knockout stages of this season's competition.

Zidane has never been eliminated from Europe as a manager, however a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in November was Madrid's worst Champions League group-stage loss in nine years.

Liverpool

Liverpool have not tasted European glory since a dramatic Champions League Final against AC Milan in 2005, that saw Steven Gerrard lead his side to a three-goal comeback to secure the trophy.

Despite going thirteen years without a trophy outside of England, Liverpool still have an impressive history in Europe, with five European cups to their name. The first came in 1977, when three-time defending champions Bayern Munich were knocked out in the quarter-finals. The Germans are the only club to ever win the competition three times in a row - a feat which Madrid will be looking to equal on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah has stole the headlines for Liverpool this season, and rightly so. The Egyptian winger has scored more Premier League goals this season than any other player in history (32), leading Liverpool's sublime front three this season, accompanied by Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. The latter pair have 25 goals between them this season, and the attacking trio could certainly capitalise on a leaky Madrid defence this weekend.

Aside from reaching the Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp has led his side to a second successive top four finish in the Premier League. With Chelsea hot on their heels, it went down to the last day of the season as the two English clubs competed for the final Champions League spot, however a comfortable 4-0 win against Brighton secured European qualification for Liverpool.

The Reds were dumped out of the domestic cup competitions early on this season, and will be hoping that they have more luck in grasping a European trophy this year. A 3rd round defeat to Leicester City saw Klopp's side crash out of the League Cup, while a fourth round FA Cup exit at the hands of West Bromwich Albion ruled out any hope of domestic cup success for Liverpool.

On the bright side, Liverpool have only lost once in their last 12 games in all competitions. Aside from a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool have played some enjoyable football in recent times. The Reds overcame Premier League winners Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals, which was followed by a flurry of attacking play from both sides that saw Klopp's men beat Roma 7-6 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Liverpool have tightened up their defence in recent times as well, especially since signing former Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk in the January transfer window. After conceding just four goals in eight games, the Merseyside club will be hoping that they can contain the Madrid forward line this weekend.

Overall, Liverpool have one of the best attacks in world football and an ever-improving defensive line, giving them a strong chance of getting their hands on the Champions League trophy.

Team News

With five goals in his last four games, Gareth Bale will be complicating Zidane's team selection ahead of the final. The Welshman has not nailed down a starting spot for Madrid this campaign, partly due to a string of injuries over the course of the season.

Benzema has increased his chances of a Champions League Final start following his brace against Bayern Munich in the semi-final second-leg, while Isco, who made just 21 La Liga starts this season, is another player to be considered for the final.

Dani Carvajal is expected to return for the final, following his absence from the previous round, in which Lucas Vasquez filled in at right-back.

Jurgen Klopp has more injury blows than his opponents ahead of the game, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all ruled out.

James Milner and Adam Lallana are also doubts for the final, while Emre Can is not guaranteed to feature due to ongoing issues off the pitch.

Liverpool will be hoping that Milner is fit in time, considering that the former Manchester City player has nine Champions League assists to his name this season, and could be a vital asset in the Red's midfield.

Academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to retain his place as Liverpool's first-choice right-back in the final.