Man United, Tottenham & Chelsea lead the charge for European glory ahead of climactic semi-final showdowns | OneFootball

The 2024/25 European football season has been as thrilling as it has been unpredictable.

There have been several eye-catching tactical battles across the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. But we’re not done yet.

There’s still plenty to play for heading into the semi-finals, although some of the ties are already decided – at least on paper.

While we await the nail-biting tie deciders, let’s assess which clubs are most likely to advance to their respective finals.

Champions League: PSG and Barca ready for a date in Munich

First-leg results:

Inter and Barcelona set for semi-final decider after six-goal thriller

Inter and Barca face off at the San Siro on Tuesday night in the decisive second leg of their Champions League semi-final, following last week’s dramatic 3-3 draw in Spain.

Inter are hunting down their fourth European crown, and their stingy defence could be the key. Simone Inzaghi’s side conceded just five goals and kept eight clean sheets before the semis.

They’re unbeaten in their last 15 Champions League home games (W12, D3), and have won nine of their last 11 European semi-finals at San Siro.

It’s defence versus attack on Tuesday, with Barca storming Milan with one of the most fearsome attacking trios in the world. If anyone can pick Inter’s stingy defence, it’s Barca – and they proved it in the first leg.

Barca are favourites, but their record in Italy could tilt the odds in Inter’s favour. The Blaugranas have won just two of their 24 Champions League games in Italy and have just one win in six visits to San Siro.

Arsenal staring down the barrel of another trophyless season ahead of PSG showdown

Arsenal will attempt to defy the odds and rewrite history on Wednesday as they head to France trailing 1-0 in their Champions League semi-final against PSG.

Nineteen years after their heartbreak in the 2006 final in Paris, the Gunners must become only the third team ever to overturn a first-leg home defeat in a Champions League semi-final.

Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal just four minutes into the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, matching Kylian Mbappe’s club record for most goal contributions in a single Champions League campaign for PSG.

PSG are strong favourites to progress, especially as they have only ever been knocked out once in Europe after winning the first leg away – that was six years ago against Manchester United.

Nevertheless, the Gunners have made it a habit of turning up in the Champions League this term and their record on the road gives fans something to cling to.

Arteta’s side are unbeaten in seven consecutive away matches in Europe, winning four in a row while scoring at least twice in each game.

A repeat of their 2-1 win at Real Madrid will take the tie to extra time. From there, it’s anyone’s game.

Predicted Final: PSG vs Barca

While Arsenal and Inter cannot be underestimated, PSG and Barca have a better chance of reaching the final.

It’s a pairing that would be a nostalgic throwback to their historic clash in 2017 – only this time, Luis Enrique would be in the other dugout.

Europa League: English dominance beckons

First-leg results:

Man United poised to build on their formidable three-goal cushion

United put one foot in the Europa League final after a ruthless 3-0 win over Athletic Club in San Memes.

Ruben Amorim’s side put on a show that could now be a stepping stone to the showpiece in the same stadium on May 21, although they’d be silly to write off Bilbao.

The Basque club won’t let their humiliation on home turf go easily. Instead, they’ll likely use it as fuel for a potential remontada at Old Trafford – however remote their chances may be.

The last time these two sides met in this competition, Bilbao came out on top in both legs, although United never lost by more than a one-goal margin.

United are still unbeaten in the Europa League and will look to maintain their spotless record on home turf.

Tottenham on the brink as Bodo/Glimt plot comeback

Tottenham are in a similar position as their Premier League rivals. But Bodo’s late goal in London spells trouble.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were cruising to a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, but Bodo pulled one back late on to give themselves a lifeline.

Tottenham are still well-placed to secure a place in Bilbao. But their two-goal lead is far from comfortable heading to Norway.

Bodo have a sparkling home record in the knockout rounds, winning all three while keeping a clean sheet in their last two.

By contrast, Tottenham’s away form in Europe has been shaky.

After winning just two of their four League Phase games on the road (D1, L1), they lost to AZ Alkmaar and only scraped past Eintracht Frankfurt in the knockout stage.

Bodo will be a different challenge entirely. Spurs may have a two-goal buffer, but Postecoglou’s side can’t afford to take their foot off the gas.

Predicted final: Man United vs Tottenham

We’re likely to have a blockbuster all-Premier League showdown in the Europa League final for the first time since 2018/19 when Chelsea thrashed Arsenal 4-1.

Both United and Spurs have plenty riding on this competition. With a place in the Champions League up for grabs, both sides will be going for the jugular.

Spurs have already beaten United three times this season, but this is the one that would matter the most to Postecoglou, particularly with his second-season record hanging in the balance.

Europa Conference League: Chelsea and Real Betis on the March

First-leg results:

Blues out to finish off brave Djurgardens

Chelsea travel to Sweden to take on Djurgardens in their Conference League semi-final second leg.

This is far from a tie-decider. It may have already been decided when Chelsea put four past the Swedish side at Stamford Bridge.

Djurgardens showed they have some fight in them, but it may prove futile.

Chelsea will head into the game on the back of a massive 3-1 win over Liverpool, extending their winning streak to four games on the trot.

With a must-win top-five six-pointer against Newcastle United on the horizon, it remains to be seen if Maresca will field a second-string line-up against Djurgardens.

Although it may not matter in the grand scheme of things. Chelsea are simply too strong for their opponents. There’s a decent chance another mullering could be on the cards.

Betis walking a tightrope despite narrow first-leg win against Fiorentina

This is perhaps the most delicate of all the semi-finals. Real Betis got their noses in front with a 2-1 win, but this tie is far from over.

This isn’t a lead they can rest easy on. However, they’re heading into the tie-decider in spectacular form.

Betis are unbeaten in their last five games across all competitions (W4, D1), winning the last four in a row, including their first-leg success.

Antony has been a bright spark for Los Verdiblancos. Since leaving United in January, he has been a man reborn, notching seven goals and four assists in 20 games for Betis.

The Brazilian has been a talisman for the Spanish side in the Conference League, with three goals and two assists in seven games. He was also on target against Fiorentina in the first leg.

But the Italians will not be fazed by the narrow deficit. Fiorentina are no strangers to the Europa Conference League. They’ve finished as runners-up twice in a row and will be determined to buck that trend.

Predicted Final: Chelsea vs Real Betis

Chelsea are overwhelming favourites to win this competition. Anything less would be a massive disgrace for a club of their stature, so they can’t afford to rest on their laurels.

Either Betis or Fiorentina will be formidable opponents for the Blues, but the Spanish side should be able to get over the line and book a date with Chelsea in Poland.