For football fans, it’s been an incredible summer for the sport so far. While the period can often be quiet for many and can take a long time to pass due to the lack of competitive action, this year’s been a little different.
We’ve been subjected to plenty of international football, with the 2024 European Championships and the 2024 Copa America, while the 2024 Olympics will begin in July.
Of course, once those competitions all end, it will be a short break until the return of club action, with preseason taking place. This will be the start to the season that every football fan will begin to grow with excitement, as it means we’re getting closer to the type of competitive football that we have all come to love.
For some, there is even the prospect of big trophies being competed for at the very beginning of the campaign. The UEFA Super Cup being one of them.
2024 UEFA Super Cup
Being held on August 14 in Warsaw, Poland, the UEFA Super Cup is one of Europe’s premier cup games and a season raiser for so many. It will feature the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League in a one-off game, which will essentially look to crown the best team of the continent based on last season’s accomplishments.
Admittedly, for many football fans, it doesn’t really mean too much in terms of honors, but it’s still a traditionally competitive game and one that will attract plenty of interest, especially with the teams that are involved in the game.
Real Madrid will take part once again after winning the Champions League last season for the 15th time in their history, extending their record in the competition. Atalanta will be the Europa League representatives, as the Italian side won their first-ever European title under Gian Piero Gasperini in Dublin. Both sides defeated German opposition in their finals (Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively).
Who are the favorites to win the 2024 UEFA Super Cup?
Indeed, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that Real Madrid are the favorites to win the 2024 UEFA Super Cup. Most will have pinpointed Los Blancos as the main contenders ahead of the game, and it would seem the bookmakers are in agreement with their latest odds.
According to the 32red sport betting site, punters can back Real Madrid at 13/25, which makes them the clear favorites to win in Poland on the day. In contrast, bettors can consider an upset with Atalanta at 9/2, but it does seem unlikely to happen.
It’s unsurprising Real Madrid are as favored as they are, though, considering the talent that they will have in their squad for this game. Some would argue that Carlo Ancelotti is playing Football Manager or Fantasy Football, given the riches of the squad that he’ll have at his disposal; and that’s without the conclusion of the summer transfer window where new recruits are likely to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe is likely to lead the line for Los Blancos in what would potentially be his competitive debut for the team he idolized as a boy. Talented phenomenon Endrick will also be available for the Galacticos, with the Brazilian teenager likely to attract plenty of eyes as he starts his foray into European football.
Can Atalanta upset the apple cart?
It’s worth not writing off Atalanta immediately, as they have proven to be an incredibly tough outfit under the guidance of Gasperini. The club managed to defeat many of Europe’s biggest teams in their successful pursuit of the Europa League, including Liverpool.
As mentioned, in the final, they defeated Bayer Leverkusen, a team that hadn’t tasted defeat in any competition that season to that point. The Bundesliga side would have been big favorites heading into that game but the Serie A side made sure their underdog status was nothing but just that.
Atalanta have some top players in their squad, with Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere potentially causing problems. They will hope to have Teun Koopmeiners available in their squad, but the latest transfer rumors suggest that he could be on the way to Juventus at some point this summer.
