Predictions 30.04 – 03.05.2024
Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid | Champions League
30/04/2024 20:00
Prediction: 2-2
The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich and Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday. Bayern Munich advanced to this stage after eliminating Arsenal in the quarter-finals and have already conceded defeat in the league title race, which was secured by Bayer Leverkusen. They are coming off a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, defeated title holders Manchester City in the previous round and secured a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad in the last round of La Liga, moving them closer to the league title.
Real Madrid boasts an impressive 40-match unbeaten run this season, and they have not lost in 20 consecutive away games in league and cup competitions. Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, has never lost against Bayern Munich, with 6 wins and 2 draws in their previous encounters.
In the last 5 Champions League matches between these two teams, there has always been over 2.5 goals scored. Real Madrid has scored at least one goal in their last 32 games this season. Additionally, over 2.5 goals have occurred in 10 of Bayern Munich’s last 13 matches this season.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG | Champions League
01/05/2024 20:00
Prediction: 2-3
In the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund will face PSG for the third time this season. Borussia Dortmund advanced to this stage by eliminating PSV in the round of 16 and Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, prevailing in both return matches. On the other hand, PSG advanced by defeating Real Sociedad and Barcelona. Borussia Dortmund is aiming for their third final in history, having won the trophy in 1997 and lost the 2013 final, while for PSG, it would be their second final appearance after the 2020 defeat against Bayern Munich.
Borussia Dortmund lost their last Bundesliga match 4-1 at home to Leipzig. In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund has won only 8 out of 15 matches away from home.
PSG, on the other hand, came from behind to draw their last match with Le Havre 3-3. They also recovered in an authoritative manner in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona. In the group stage, the two teams faced each other twice, with PSG winning 2-0 and the first match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League
02/05/2024 19:30
Prediction: 3-0
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino joined the chorus of Premier League managers criticizing VAR after his team was controversially denied a late winner against Aston Villa. Despite the frustration, Pochettino was pleased with his team’s resilience in fighting back from two goals down at Villa Park, especially after their recent 5-0 defeat against Arsenal.
Now, Chelsea returns to Stamford Bridge, where they have lost just one of their last ten Premier League matches (winning seven and drawing two). Tottenham Hotspur will be their next opponents, and clashes between these two sides often bring chaos.
However, Spurs have been struggling defensively in recent weeks, conceding seven goals in their last two Premier League matches. Despite a late rally, Spurs succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Arsenal, leaving their Champions League aspirations uncertain.
Their away form has also been a concern, with only one win in their last seven away league matches (three draws and three losses). Visiting Stamford Bridge is especially daunting, considering Spurs have won only once in 33 league visits since February 1990.
Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen | Europa League
02/05/2024 20:00
Prediction: 0-1
In a rematch of one of last season’s UEFA Europa League semi-finals, Roma will once again host Bayer Leverkusen, the newly-crowned champions of the German league. Roma finds themselves in a situation reminiscent of last season, where they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification both through Serie A and by winning the Europa League.
In their recent quarter-final clash against AC Milan, Roma secured a 3-1 aggregate victory, maintaining their impressive consistency. They have reached the semi-finals of four consecutive UEFA competitions, and in their most recent encounter against Leverkusen, they kept them scoreless over 180 minutes to secure a 1-0 victory.
However, Leverkusen, under the management of Xabi Alonso, enter this fixture as favorites, thanks to their record-breaking season. They recently surpassed Juventus to claim the European record for the longest unbeaten streak across all competitions, extending their run to 46 games without defeat. Despite three consecutive draws in their last three games, there are concerns that Leverkusen’s successful campaign may be taking its toll.
Marseille vs Atalanta | Europa League
02/05/2024 20:00
Prediction: 0-0
In an eagerly anticipated UEFA Europa League semi-final clash, Marseille will square off against Atalanta for the first time, aiming to maintain their perfect record of progressing from UEL semi-final ties. Despite their impressive semi-final record, Marseille has fallen short in each of their previous finals, and they hope to secure another opportunity to lift major European silverware for just the second time.
Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset understands the significance of claiming a first-leg lead, which will require a performance worthy of ending Marseille’s seven-game winless streak against Italian clubs. Marseille will draw confidence from their home support at the Stade Vélodrome, where they have won seven successive UEL knockout-round home matches. Additionally, Marseille has suffered just two defeats in their last 18 European matches on their home turf across all UEFA competitions.
While facing Marseille at their home ground may seem daunting, Atalanta is not easily intimidated. They recently secured a remarkable 3-0 victory at Anfield against Liverpool, setting the stage to eliminate the English giants in the quarter-final stage.
Since their defeat to Liverpool, Atalanta has been in excellent form, winning each of their last three games. Their unbeaten streak extends to eight UEL away matches, further boosting their confidence as they head into this crucial semi-final encounter. With Gian Piero Gasperini at the helm, Atalanta will be looking to capitalize on their current form and secure a positive result away from home.
Fiorentina vs Club Brugge | Conference League
02/05/2024 20:00
Prediction: 2-1
Fiorentina, beaten in the UEFA Europa Conference League final last season, are determined to make amends this time around. They have reached the semi-finals where they will face Club Brugge. Remaining unbeaten since the start of the group phase, Fiorentina’s supporters are hopeful of securing their first major trophy since the 2000/01 Coppa Italia.
As the season progresses, the UECL becomes increasingly important for Vincenzo Italiano’s side, offering them a chance to qualify for Europe. Despite being eliminated from the Coppa Italia with a 4-1 defeat to Atalanta, Fiorentina responded strongly by defeating Sassuolo 5-1 on Sunday. This victory, along with two others in their last four outings, keeps alive their hopes of European qualification via the league if they fall short in the UECL.
Club Brugge will approach the fixture with confidence, having remained undefeated since interim boss Nicky Hayen took charge in mid-March. They have kept five clean sheets during this period, including two in the UECL as they defeated PAOK 3-0 over two legs to reach the semi-finals.
He aims to secure his position permanently by guiding Club Brugge to their first European title while also maintaining their pursuit of domestic success. Currently joint-top of the table, Club Brugge are within reach of reclaiming the league crown they last won two years ago.
Aston Villa vs Olympiacos | Conference League
02/05/2024 20:00
Prediction: 3-0
It will be a special night in Birmingham as Aston Villa take on their first major European semi-final in 42 years. They will face a Greek opponent for the first time and know that a positive result here can help them take a huge step towards next month’s UEFA Europa League Conference final in Athens. Having won all six home matches in this competition so far, the hosts should be confident, yet it remains to be seen what impact squandering a two-goal lead against Chelsea to draw 2-2 on Sunday could have ahead of this one. Having failed to score in just one of their past 31 European matches on their own turf, history suggests they should have enough to keep that record up here.
Olympiacos have endured a turbulent season by their standards, yet they look to be in safe hands with their third boss of the season in José Luís Mendilibar, who joined in February. He led Sevilla to Europa League glory last season and has the Greek side currently on a seven-game unbeaten run, which includes a dominant 4-1 victory over Lamia on Sunday.
Greece’s most successful club had lost their first 11 games in England by an aggregate scoreline of 33-3. However, they have won three games from eight since, all against Arsenal. They suffered defeat away to West Ham in the group stage of the Europa League earlier this season (1-0). Still, a win in the home meeting (2-1) does at least suggest they have the capabilities to down Premier League opposition on their day.
