Champions League semi-final tips & second-leg predictions

The final leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League semi-finals features high-stakes showdowns in Milan and Paris, with the winners of each tie set to clash in Munich on May 31. Here are our top picks for this week’s UCL action, with odds from the best soccer betting sites in United States.

Inter Milan v Barcelona

Wednesday, May 7 – 5am AEST – Giuseppe Meazza Stadium

Barcelona will seek to make their first UEFA Champions League final appearance in a decade when they travel to Italy to take on reigning Serie A champions Internazionale on Wednesday morning (AEST).

The Blaugrana, who were recently crowned Copa del Rey champions, moved a step closer to reclaiming the Liga title with a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday.

After declaring their intention to complete the elusive treble, Hansi Flick’s men must overcome a battle-hardened Inter Milan side competing on two fronts: Serie A and the UCL.

Although Barca were strong favourites in the first leg, the hosts found themselves two goals down within the first 20 minutes before clawing their way back into the match, which ended 3-3.

Inter are no pushovers, and the charged San Siro crowd will undoubtedly make life difficult for the visitors. Nevertheless, the hosts will be without inspirational captain Lautaro Martinez, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first leg.

Meanwhile, Barca will be boosted by the return of top scorer Robert Lewandowski from injury.

The last two encounters between these sides have produced some 12 goals. Expect plenty of goalmouth action in this one as well, with Barca — the highest-scoring team in the Champions League — edging out their resilient hosts.

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Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal

Thursday, May 8 – 5am AEST – Parc des Princes

After securing a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last week, newly crowned Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain will be buoyed heading into their clash with Arsenal on Thursday morning (AEST).

Boasting one of the most formidable attacks in Europe, PSG have been among the standout sides in this year’s UCL, scoring 28 while only conceding eight in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, Arsenal have scored eight fewer goals and conceded nine over the same period.

Mikel Arteta already has a depleted squad with numerous injury absentees, and the Arsenal boss will have to wait for Jurrien Timber and skipper Martin Odegaard to pass late fitness tests.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique is expected to benefit from fresher legs after resting several key players over the weekend.

Fresh off Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, Arsenal — who have yet to secure automatic qualification for next season’s UCL — look poised to struggle against a PSG side that has been imperious at the Parc des Princes.

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