The biggest game on the European calendar comes to Wembley this weekend as Manchester United and Barcelona will battle out for the Champion's League, a repeat of the 2009 final at Roma's Stadio Olimpico.
And for most of the footballing world it is hard to see a different outcome to that of two years ago which saw Barca lift the trophy for the third time in their history after goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi earned them a 2-0 win over the then defending champions.
Pep Guardiola's side out-muscled United back then in an historic season that saw them become the first Spanish side to win the treble, and since then it would seem that the Catalans have only gotten stronger, but have United? Champions of England for a record-breaking nineteenth time, but many would say that this is because their main rivals (Arsenal, Chelsea) had pretty poor seasons and never really mounted much of a challenge, rather than United being the dominant force that they have been in recent history.
Whereas over in La Liga Barcelona claimed their third straight title despite managerial maestro Jose Mourinho being in charge of arch-rivals Real Madrid, who they also defeated to earn their place at Wembley. Players like Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Messi, who has scored over 50 goals in all competitions so far this season, have only improved over the last two years and been instrumental in creating what is maybe the best footballing side of all time.
A daunting prospect for any footballing side, but if anybody can mastermind a win over Barca surely it's Sir Alex Ferguson, who will be craving the chance to get revenge for the aforementioned defeat. He may now be without Christiano Ronaldo, who led the attack in United's last clash with the Spanish champions, but players like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic, all undoubtedly world class, will be out to prove a point.
Not to mention there is always new boy Javier Hernandez and the fact that the game will be the last of Edwin Van Der Sar's career, one I am sure he will do everything in his power not to lose. And there is the setting, the first European final at the new Wembley. Technically a home game for Manchester United when you compare them to Barcelona, which you would imagine is surely going to work in their favour.
These two have rarely faltered in Europe in the last few years. Others have bested them at times but nobody has shown the consistency or been as great as either of these sides have been in recent seasons, and it only seems fair that they meet again on European club football's biggest stage. Barcelona will go into Saturday's game as favourites, but there is no questioning the fact that United have both the class and experience it takes to beat them on their day.
Both sides boast a solid defence, and whilst Barca may have the edge when it comes to their all-star midfield, don't rule out United who have players in the middle of the park capable of matching the likes of Xavi when playing at their best. And when it comes to up front, neutrals everywhere will be hoping both Rooney and David Villa are on form come Saturday, two strikers who are possibly the best in the world at what they do.
So the stage is set, and all is left to see is who will emerge victorious. Will Barcelona win their third European crown in just five seasons, or will Manchester United be crowned Champions of Europe on English soil? Either way, we should be in for a great night and a great game of football.