2024/25 UEFA European Football Preview: Semi-Finals, Leg 1

UEFA Champions League:

Arsenal VS PSG

Arsenal host Paris Saint-Germain in a massive First Leg matchup at the Emirates! Arsenal are coming into this game off the back of a 2-all draw with Crystal Palace and they currently sit second in the Premier League! When it comes to Real Madrid, they enter this game off the back of a shocking 3-1 loss at home to Nice and they currently lead Ligue 1! These two teams actually faced each other in the League Phase back in October, with Arsenal winning 2-0 (at home)! When it comes to success in this competition, neither team has managed to win the UEFA Champions League so this is a massive moment for both clubs! Overall, this is a tough game to call, but Arsenal have been strong at home this season!

My Prediction: 2-1

Barcelona VS Inter Milan

Barcelona host Inter Milan in another fascinating contest! Barcelona are coming into this game off the back of a 3-2 Copa Del Rey Final victory over Real Madrid and they currently lead LaLiga! When it comes to Inter Milan, they enter this game off the back of a 1-0 loss at home to Roma and they currently sit second in Serie A! In their previous 6 meetings, Barca have won 3 times whilst Inter have won once! When it comes to success in this competition, Barcelona have won it 5 times (last in 2015) whilst Inter Milan have won it 3 times (last in 2010)! Overall, this should be a really good game, but Inter’s form is worrying!

My Prediction: 2-0

UEFA Europa League:

Athletic Bilbao VS Manchester United

Athletic Bilbao host Manchester United in an important First Leg! Athletic Bilbao are coming into this game off the back of a 1-0 win over Las Palmas and they currently find themselves 4th in LaLiga! When it comes to Manchester United, they enter this game off the back of a 1-all draw with Bournemouth and they currently sit 14th in the Premier League! The last 2 competitive meetings between these two sides came all the way back in 2012, with Bilbao winning both games! When it comes to success in this competition, Athletic Club are still looking for their first-ever European Title whilst Man United won the Europa League for the only time in 2017! Overall, Athletic Bilbao are definitely the more in-form team, but that doesn’t mean you should count out Manchester United!

My Prediction: 2-1

Tottenham VS Bodo/Glimt

Tottenham Hotspur welcome Bodo/Glimt to London for what is a massive opportunity for both clubs! Tottenham are coming into this game off the back of a 5-1 thrashing from Liverpool and they currently sit 16th in the Premier League! When it comes to Bodo/Glimt, they enter this game off the back of a 3-0 win over KFUM and they currently find themselves second in the Eliteserien! When it comes to success in Europe, Spurs won the UEFA Cup twice (last in 1984) whilst Bodo/Glimt are in their first-ever European Semi-Finals! Overall, this is an amazing moment for Bodo/Glimt, but Tottenham should be winning here!

My Prediction: 3-1

UEFA Europa Conference League:

Djurgarden VS Chelsea

Sweden’s Djurgarden play in arguably the biggest game of their entire history as they welcome Chelsea to the 3Arena! Djurgarden are coming into this game off the back of a 1-0 win over Osters IF and they currently sit 10th in the Allsvenskan! When it comes to Chelsea, they enter this game off the back of a 1-0 win over Everton and they currently find themselves 5th in the Premier League! When it comes to success in Europe, Djurgarden are looking to make their first-ever European Final whilst Chelsea have won multiple Champions League and Europa League Titles! Overall, this is a special occasion for Djurgarden, but one that Chelsea should breeze through!

My Prediction: 1-3

Real Betis VS Fiorentina

Real Betis and Fiorentina clash in what should be a hardly fought 2 Legs! Real Betis are coming into this game off the back of a 5-1 thumping of Real Valladolid and they currently find themselves 6th in LaLiga! When it comes to Fiorentina, they enter this game off the back of a 2-1 win over Empoli and they currently sit 8th in Serie A! When it comes to success in Europe, Real Betis are entering their first-ever European Semi-Finals whilst Fiorentina have lost the last 2 Europa Conference League Finals! I’m excited for this one!

My Prediction: 2-1