Champions League and Europa League Acca Tips With BetMGM
The European competitions move into the semi-final stage this week, with the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League down to their final four.
In the Champions League, reigning holders Paris Saint-Germain meet Bayern Munich, who are favourites to lift what would be their seventh European Cup. Bayern have all but wrapped up the Bundesliga, while PSG hold a comfortable lead in Ligue 1, so both sides arrive in strong domestic positions.
The other semi-final sees Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid. The Gunners’ Premier League lead has slipped in recent weeks, but they still have a clear path to at least one major trophy this season and have taken advantage of a favourable draw to reach a second successive Champions League semi-final. Atletico’s La Liga campaign has been underwhelming, but they remain a difficult side to face over two legs in Europe.
The Europa League semi-finals also offer plenty of intrigue. Braga face SC Freiburg, while Nottingham Forest meet Aston Villa in an all-English tie between two former European champions.
Champions League tipster
Ben Smith has put together a four-leg accumulator for the semi-finals on
BetMGM, focusing on where the
Champions League odds
offer the best value.
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GambleAware.org.Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich - Over 1.5 Bayern Munich Goals (3/4)
Bayern Munich look capable of scoring at least twice in Paris when they face Paris Saint-Germain in this semi-final first leg.
PSG have been excellent again in Europe and arrive in strong form, but their approach at home remains open. They push numbers forward and play at a high tempo, which naturally creates space the other way. Bayern have already shown they can exploit that, winning 2-1 here in the league phase despite playing a large part of the match with 10 men.
Bayern’s attacking output has been consistent all season. They’ve scored in every competitive game and continue to generate chances at a high rate against top opposition, with no real drop-off in away fixtures.
Both managers favour front-foot football and neither is likely to rein things in, which points towards a game with chances at both ends, and over 1.5 Bayern goals may not even be enough for them to secure victory.
Atletico Madrid v Arsenal - Atletico to Win (9/5)
Atleti’s domestic form has been patchy, but their record in Europe under Diego Simeone still carries weight, especially at home. Before their narrow defeat to Barcelona in the previous round - which was enough to see them through - they had not lost a Champions League knockout match under the Argentine manager.
Arsenal arrive in less than convincing form. Goals have been hard to come by, with the Gunners struggling to score more than once in any of their last seven outings in all competitions. Injuries to Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze are far from helpful in that regard.
With home advantage and greater know-how in this type of tie, Atletico can edge the first leg.
Braga v Freiburg - Under 2.5 Goals (3/4)
The semi-final between the two outsiders remaining in the Europa League outright market looks finely balanced.
Freiburg’s away record in this competition is worth noting, having conceded exactly once in five of their last six Europa League away matches. That points to a side that is comfortable keeping games within reach on the road, particularly in knockout ties.
With both sides likely to be mindful of the bigger picture and Freiburg typically involved in controlled games away in Europe, this has the feel of a match that could be decided by narrow margins, making under 2.5 goals the preferred angle.
Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest Double Chance & Under 2.5 Goals (23/20)
Nottingham Forest head into this semi-final first leg after a big win at the weekend, and one that has eased pressure in the relegation battle. They’re still not completely safe, but they have a five-point cushion, and their recent run shows they’re capable of making life difficult at the City Ground.
Aston Villa have less to worry about domestically, with their position largely settled, and their focus has clearly shifted towards this competition. Even so, their away record is less convincing, with goals harder to come by and results not always following.
This is also a ground where Villa haven’t had things their own way in recent visits, and a 1-1 draw here earlier this month underlines how competitive this fixture can be.
With Forest generally involved in tighter games at home and Villa not prolific on the road, this has the feel of a close first leg where the hosts can stay onside and goals remain limited.
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