UEFA Champions League:
Real Madrid VS Manchester City
Real Madrid host Manchester City in the first of two blockbuster ties. Real Madrid currently sit third in LaLiga and they play Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final before this game. Manchester City are currently top of the Premier League and they host Leeds United before they play in Madrid. In their previous 10 meetings, both sides have won 4 times. Real Madrid famously knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League at this stage last season. When it comes to success in this competition, Madrid have won this competition a record 14 times whilst City are still looking for their first CL crown. Overall, Real Madrid will probably need to pick up the victory in this tie whilst Manchester City can put themselves in the driving seat if they play at their best.
My Prediction: 2-2
A.C. Milan VS Inter Milan
It’s a Milan derby in the second Champions League Semi-Final as A.C. host Inter. A.C. Milan currently sit 6th in Serie A and they host Lazio before this game. Inter Milan are currently 4th in Serie A and they play away to A.S. Roma before they face their biggest rivals. In their previous 36 meetings, Milan have won 12 times whilst Inter have won 16 times. When it comes to success in this competition, A.C. have won this competition 7 times whilst Inter have won it 3 times. Interestingly, the last time both clubs made it to this stage of the Champions League, they went on to win it all (Milan in 06/07, Inter in 09/10). Overall, both teams are going to be well up for this game and it just feels completely different to another other Semi-Final I’ve really seen.
My Prediction: 1-0
UEFA Europa League:
A.S. Roma VS Bayer Leverkusen
Italy’s Roma host Germany’s Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League Semi-Final tie. A.S. Roma currently sit 7th in Serie A and they host Inter Milan before this game. Bayer Leverkusen are currently 6th in the Bundesliga and they host 1. FC Koln before they travel to Italy. In their previous 2 meetings, Roma have won once whilst the other game ended in a draw. In total, there were 13 goals in those two games. When it comes to success in this competition, Roma have never won it whilst Leverkusen won it in the 1987-88 season when it was called the UEFA Cup. Roma did win the Europa Conference League last year though (their first major European trophy). Overall, both A.S. Roma and Bayer Leverkusen know this is a huge opportunity for them and the pressure is definetly on Roma to go into Germany with a lead.
My Prediction: 2-0
Juventus VS Sevilla
Two European Heavyweights face off as Juventus host Sevilla in Turin. Juventus currently sit third in Serie A and they play away to Atalanta before this game. Sevilla are currently 11th in LaLiga and they host Espanyol before another European away trip. In their previous 4 meetings, Juventus have won twice whilst Sevilla have won once. When it comes to success in this competition, Juventus have lifted this trophy 3 times whilst Sevilla have won it a record 6 times. Sevilla have never not won this competition once they’ve made the Quarter-Final stage. Overall, Juventus need to pick up a strong result at home if they are going to advance to the Europa League Final whilst Sevilla will be happy with a draw.
My Prediction: 2-1
UEFA Europa Conference League:
Fiorentina VS FC Basel
Italy’s Fiorentina host Switzerland’s Basel as both teams look to get a step closer to their first-ever major European trophy. Fiorentina currently sit 8th in Serie A and they play away to league leaders Napoli before this game. FC Basel are currently 5th in the Swiss Super League and they host FC Zurich before their trip to Italy. In their previous 2 meetings, Basel have won once whilst the other game ended in a draw. When it comes to success in Europe, Fiorentina have only ever won the Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1961 whilst Basel have never reached a European Final before (their only previous European Semi Final came in the Europa League back in the 2012/13 season). Overall, Fiorentina are definitely the favourites for this tie and they need to prove why in the first leg. If FC Basel can stay in the tie, they’ll give themselves a chance in the second leg.
My Prediction: 3-1
West Ham VS AZ Alkmaar
West Ham host AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of an intriguing Europa Conference League Semi-Final tie. West Ham currently sit 15th in the Premier League and they host Manchester United before this game. AZ Alkmaar currently sit 4th in the Eredivisie and they play away to Ajax in a big game before they come to London. Amazingly, this is the first time that the two teams will ever play against each other. When it comes to success in Europe, West Ham won the Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1965 whilst AZ’s only ever appearance in a European Final came back in the 1980-81 season when they lost the UEFA Cup Final to Ipswich Town (funnily enough). Overall, both teams will be well aware that this tie presents a huge opportunity for them to advance to a major European Final.
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