UEFA Champions League Reaches Semi Finals
The end of the Uefa Champions League 2024/2025 season is in sight with only two more matches remaining before the final. The Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in Europe. The competition invites the top teams from 55 countries within the EU to compete in the competition.
The League’s start can be traced back to 1955 and was referred to as the European Champions Club Cup. Back then only the top teams from domestic leagues were able to enter the Championship. The first season of the league was by invitation only and 16 club teams from across Europe competed. Real Madrid was the first team to lift the trophy and dominated the league for another five years. The league’s popularity grew and a more countries were able to enter leading the name change to Uefa Champions League in 1992.
How Teams Qualify
The Uefa Champions League goes through different phases before reaching the Group Stages. Top ranked leagues get more entries than lower ranked leagues. Top ranked leagues like the English Premier League get four guaranteed entries. Lower ranked leagues get either one or two entries. The lowest ranking leagues do however need to compete in the playoff rounds to make it to the group stage. These rounds include; the preliminary round for lowest ranked clubs, moving on to the qualifying round where the winning teams make it through go on to play for playoff round. There are only 32 teams in the group stage of the tournament.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan Semi Final
The first match of the UEFA Semi Finals is on tonight (6 May 2025) with kick off taking place at 9pm. This semi final match see two colossal teams, Inter Milan vs Barcelona fighting for their spot in the final. Their first leg encounter in was so exciting. Both teams found the back of the net to finish the match 3 all. They also go into the match with an aggregate of 3-3. The match is taking place at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Therefore Inter will be hoping the home crowd gives them to might boost needed to win the match.
The bookies favour Barcelona to win the match. Hollywoodbets gives the odds of 1.45/1 to win, and 1.65/1 for Inter Milan to win. The odds on a draw are at 2.35/1. Both teams also scraped through the quarter finals.
PSG vs Arsenal Semi Final Match
The second match of the UEFA Semi Finals 2025 matches see Arsenal take on PSG. The game takes place on Wednesday the 7th at Parc des Princes stadium. PSG took the lead early in the two team’s first leg encounter. A goal in the fourth minute by Frenchman Ousmane Dembele was enough to secure a win at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal was unable to capitalise on a few opportunities. They were unlucky to be caught off side for the equalizing header in the second half. The win gives PSG an aggregate of 1-0 going into the match.
Therefore the Gunners will be hoping that Declan Rice can emulate his performance in the match against Real Madrid. Declan went on to score the two best goals in the league from two free kicks in one game. Arsenal went on to win the match 3-0.
What the Bookies say
Bookies have PSG as the firm favourite team to win the UEFA Semi Final match. Hollywoodbets gives Paris Saint-Germain the odds of 1.09 to win and 2.35 for the Gunners to win. Arsenal had more opportunities to score if you look at the previous match. Our prediction is a draw or for Arsenal to win. Have a look at what odds are on offer from preferred bookies below. All the teams playing for a spot in the finals deserve to be there. The semi finals will be thrilling and exciting to watch no matter the outcome. The final match is on the 31st of May at the Allianz Arena in Germany with kick off at 9pm. Here are some of the best soccer betting sites in South Africa.
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