The first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League semi-final between Arsenal (England) and PSG (France) will take place on April 29 at the Emirates Stadium in London. Arsenal vs. PSG: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Arsenal
The English side eliminated the reigning champions from the tournament for the second time in their history. Mikel Arteta's team defeated Real Madrid twice in the previous round (3-0, 2-1), extending their unbeaten run in the Champions League to eight matches (7 wins, 1 draw). Furthermore, Arsenal scored at least two goals in each of these matches, with a total of 30 goals in this Champions League campaign — only three clubs have been more prolific. These are record-breaking numbers for Arsenal in the history of the tournament. The last time the team reached the semi-finals was in the 2008/09 season.
- At least three goals have been scored in Arsenal's last eight Champions League matches.
- The team has won 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Champions League (1 draw).
- Arsenal kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Arsenal (4-3-3)
David Raya – Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior – Mikel Merino, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard – Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard.
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, midfielder Jorginho, and defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Takehiro Tomiyasu are sidelined with injuries.
PSG
The French side reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second consecutive time. In the previous round, Luis Enrique's team overcame Aston Villa (3-1, 2-3), with the defeat in the return leg being only their second in the last nine Champions League matches (7 wins). Additionally, PSG conceded more than two goals for the first time in the current tournament. The Parisians have scored 30 goals, a record for French teams. PSG has reached the Champions League semi-finals more times than any other French club (5).
The team is preparing for the match with a full squad.
- PSG scored at least twice in 7 of their last 9 Champions League games.
- In 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament, PSG have conceded no more than one goal.
- The team has not drawn any of their last 10 away games in the Champions League (6 wins, 4 losses).
Predicted lineup for PSG (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Nuno Mendes, William Pacho, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi – Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, João Neves – Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé.
Referee
Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 49;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 15%.
Match Prediction: Arsenal vs. PSG
The opponents met in the group stage of this Champions League in London, with the hosts winning 2-0. PSG had a slow start to the tournament but have since found excellent form and are consistently scoring. Since that game, the French side failed to score in only two of their last 12 Champions League matches, and now PSG, along with Arsenal, are among the top five highest-scoring clubs in this edition of the Champions League. Additionally, Luis Enrique's side has a five-match scoring streak in away Champions League games.
The British team is also showing excellent offensive results. In the 2024/25 Champions League, Mikel Arteta's side scored in 10 of their 12 matches, and the last time the club failed to score at home in this tournament was back in 2016. However, Arsenal's usually exemplary defense has started to falter, conceding in 4 of their last 5 Champions League matches.
Both teams are fully focused on the Champions League: Arsenal has lost the chance for the Premier League title, while PSG has already secured victory in Ligue 1. Therefore, nothing should prevent these dynamic and attacking teams from delivering a high-scoring match. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
