*Match preview and betting tips provided by SVB Tips
If it's anything like Tuesday's thrilling clash between Inter and Barcelona, then we can expect at least 90 minutes of intense football between two sides that both suffered domestic defeats over the weekend.
PSG are on the brink of their second-ever Champions League final, looking to equal their run from the 2019–20 season when they narrowly lost 0-1 to Bayern Munich.
Since then, PSG have consistently reached the knockout stages but never gone beyond the semifinals. This year, however, Luis Enrique's side have looked sharp and determined to finally bring the trophy to Paris—and fulfill the long-standing dream of club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
PSG’s Road to the Semis: A Hard-Fought Journey
PSG’s campaign wasn’t smooth sailing. They only managed 15 points in the league phase and had to go through the play-off round, where they crushed Brest with 3-0 and 7-0 wins. Things got serious in the Round of 16 against Liverpool. Despite a 0-1 home loss, they turned it around at Anfield with a 2-0 masterclass.
The quarterfinal against Aston Villa was more dramatic than expected. After a 2-0 home win, and going 2-0 up at Villa Park, PSG saw their lead reduced in a 2-3 away loss. Despite the scare, they held on.
Dembele’s Record-Breaking Form
Ousmane Dembele has been the star of the season, with 33 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. His 8 goals in the Champions League this season are closing in on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s club record of 10 in a single campaign. Although he was injured in the last match, he has returned to training and is expected to play. Presnel Kimpembe remains sidelined.
With the Ligue 1 title already secured, PSG have taken their foot off the gas recently, losing their last two matches to Nice (1-3) and Strasbourg (1-2), the latter featuring a fully rotated squad.
Now or Never for Arsenal
This season is slipping away for Arsenal. Already out of both domestic cups and faltering in the Premier League title race, the Champions League is their last shot at silverware. They've never won the competition, with their closest effort being in 2006, when they lost the final to Barcelona after leading 1-0 at halftime.
Mikel Arteta's side performed admirably in the group stage, finishing second behind Liverpool. They comfortably dispatched PSV (9-3 aggregate) in the Round of 16, then stunned Real Madrid with wins in both legs.
Still, after a 0-1 defeat at home to PSG in the first leg, Arsenal are on the brink of elimination. History is not on their side—only two teams have ever reached the Champions League final after losing the home leg in the semis: Ajax in 1995-96 and Tottenham in 2018-19.
Bukayo Saka’s form has dipped, with just two goals since his return from injury in April, and further injuries are piling up. Arteta will be without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jorginho for this crucial clash.
Unlike Luis Enrique, Arteta had to use most of his starters in the weekend loss to Bournemouth (1-2), further complicating preparations.
🔍 Betting Tips & Insights
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS) – YES: With both sides needing to score and known for attacking styles, expect goals at both ends.
- Over 2.5 Goals: 3 of the last 4 UCL matches for PSG have gone over 2.5, and Arsenal are capable of bouncing back offensively.
- Ousmane Dembele to Score Anytime: In red-hot form and PSG’s go-to man in the UCL.
- Correct Score Prediction: PSG 2-2 Arsenal: Arsenal may fight back but could fall just short on aggregate.