2025/26 UEFA European Football Preview: Semi-Finals, Leg 1

UEFA Champions League:

PSG VS Bayern Munich

The two current best teams in the world face off as Paris Saint-Germain host Bayern Munich in a mouthwatering First Leg clash in the French Capital! PSG are coming into this game off the back 3-0 win away at Angers, and they currently lead Ligue 1! When it comes to Bayern Munich, they enter this game off the back of a ridiculous 4-3 win over Mainz (where they were 3-0 down at halftime), and they’ve already sealed their place as this year’s Bundesliga Champions! In their previous 10 meetings, PSG have won 30% of the time compared to Bayern’s 70%! In fact, Munich have already won in Paris this season, back in November! When it comes to success in this competition, PSG are the reigning Champions, whilst Bayern have won it 6 times (last in 2020)! Overall, I’m very excited for this game as both of these teams are very strong, and honestly, I find this game almost impossible to predict!

My Prediction: 2-2

Atletico Madrid VS Arsenal

Expect Atletico Madrid VS Arsenal to be a low-scoring affair! Atletico Madrid are coming into this game off the back of a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao, and they currently sit 4th in LaLiga! When it comes to Arsenal, they enter this game off the back of a tight 1-0 win over Newcastle, and they currently find themselves top of the Premier League! In their previous 3 meetings, both sides have won one game each, with Arsenal thumping Atletico 4-0 in the League Phase earlier this season! When it comes to success in this competition, neither Atletico nor Arsenal have ever won the UEFA Champions League, meaning this is a massive opportunity for them both! Overall, Atletico Madrid know that it’s super important for them to beat Arsenal here to take an advantage into the Second Leg!

My Prediction: 1-0

UEFA Europa League:

Braga VS Freiburg

Braga host Freiburg in the first of two exciting Europa League Semi-Finals! Braga are coming into this game off the back of a 2-1 loss at Santa Clara, and they currently find themselves 4th in Liga Portugal! When it comes to Freiburg, they enter this game off the back of a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, and they currently sit 8th in the Bundesliga! When it comes to success in Europe, Braga are looking to make it into their second-ever European Final, whilst this is the furthest that Freiburg have ever gotten! Overall, I’d say that both teams were very happy with how the draw has fallen for them, but it’s important for both Braga and Freiburg that they take advantage of it!

My Prediction: 2-1

Nottingham Forest VS Aston Villa

One English side is guaranteed a place in this year’s Europa League Final as Nottingham Forest welcome Aston Villa to the City Ground! Nottingham Forest are coming into this game off the back of a stunning 5-0 win away at Sunderland, and they currently sit 16th in the Premier League! When it comes to Aston Villa, they enter this game off the back of a 1-0 loss away at Fulham, and they currently find themselves 5th in the Premier League! In their previous 14 meetings, Forest have won 3 times, whilst Villa have won 7 times! When it comes to success in Europe, Forest are 2-time European Champions, whilst Villa won Europe’s biggest prize back in 1982! Overall, Aston Villa are definitely favourites across two legs, but that doesn’t mean that Nottingham Forest can’t get something from this tie!

My Prediction: 1-1

UEFA Conference League:

Rayo Vallecano VS Strasbourg

Both Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg are set to compete in their first-ever major European Semi-Final! Rayo Vallecano are coming into this game off the back of a 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad, and they currently sit 11th in LaLiga! When it comes to Strasbourg, they enter this game off the back of a dramatic late win away at Lorient, and they currently find themselves 8th in Ligue 1! When it comes to success in Europe, this is only Rayo’s second-ever European campaign, whilst this is Strasbourg’s best run since they made the Quarter-Finals of the 1979/80 European Cup! Overall, both Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg know that they may never get a better chance to win a European trophy, so they really need to take it!

My Prediction: 1-2

Shakhtar Donetsk VS Crystal Palace

Shakhtar Donetsk welcome Crystal Palace for the final First Leg tie of this article! Shakhtar Donetsk are coming into this game off the back of a 3-1 win away at Kudrivka, and they currently lead the Ukrainian Premier League! When it comes to Crystal Palace, they enter this game off the back of a 3-1 loss at Liverpool, and they currently sit 13th in the Premier League! When it comes to success in Europe, Shakhtar managed to win the UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League) in 2009, whilst this is Palace’s first proper European run! Overall, Shakhtar are playing with an awful lot of confidence, having only lost once since the start of last November, but Crystal Palace will certainly fancy their chances!

My Prediction: 1-1