C/L Final: Bale, Isco battling for starting spot

Zinedine Zidane faces a selection headache ahead of the Champions League final. Does he opt for the play-making guile of Isco or the game-breaking athleticism of Gareth Bale? The Welshman will be desperate to start against Juventus on the familiar Principality Stadium turf but based on stats alone, Isco should get the nod.

Statistically, Real Madrid are more successful when the Spaniard is preferred to Bale, who has been blighted by injuries this campaign.

Los Blancos win 54 per cent of their matches when Bale starts in comparison to Isco's vastly superior 75 per cent, according to Genting Bet.

In terms of goals per game, Real score an average of 2.50 with Bale and 2.58 when Isco is selected.

Clearly statistics do not tell the full story and players react differently depending on the opposition and team-mates around them.

This is an important facet to analyse too. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in typically deadly form this

season, already spearheading his side's La Liga title win, but who would he prefer to line up alongside him?

Again the numbers make for grim reading for Bale as Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo is more effective when Isco plays.

Ronaldo scores an average of 1.08 goals per game with Isco, in comparison to a paltry 0.46 when Bale is deployed.

The Spaniard is not merely providing a service for his striker however, scoring four times and assisting the same number himself, when alongside Ronaldo. Bale has three goals and two assists, another statistical black mark against the 27-year-old.

Bale is also hampered by the fact that he is still returning to full fitness which could make Zidane's reasoning slightly easier and the Welshman was diplomatic in speaking about the all important team sheet for Saturday.

He said: “Whether he [Isco] or I start we will both be cheering each other on and hoping the team win.”

Ultimately the decision rests squarely on the shoulders of Zidane but the statistics are stacked in favour of Isco being charged with unlocking Juventus' rearguard in club football's greatest showpiece.