𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

From a starting field of 36 teams, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain are the last ones standing in this season’s Champions League.

Arsenal and Bayern are the favourites to progress from their respective semi-finals, with the pair both priced at 13/8 to get their hands on the famous trophy on May 30 in Budapest.

The remaining games promise to be among the most captivating matches of the entire season, with all four teams capable of going all the way.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich

Parc des Princes, Tuesday, April 28, 8pm UK (3pm ET)

This will be a meeting between arguably Europe’s two most dynamic and progressive teams.

PSG are slight 6/5 favourites to win on the night, with Luis Enrique’s side currently on a winning run of four matches and having swept aside Chelsea and Liverpool in the knockout rounds.

After a sluggish first two-thirds of the campaign, PSG have found top form again. The return to fitness of Ousmane Dembele proved to be a catalyst for the defending European champions.

Dembele has registered five goal contributions in his last five appearances in all competitions and is unique in the way he knits together the PSG forward line. They don’t have another player who can perform the false nine role in the same way.

To stop PSG, Bayern Munich must find a way to disrupt the French giants in central midfield. Vitinha is averaging more accurate passes per 90 minutes than any other player in the Champions League this season, with Joao Neves another relentless rhythm-builder.

PSG have the highest average possession share of any Champions League team, and they also average the second-most goals per game.

Bayern are top for that metric, averaging an incredible 3.2 goals per game this season. Indeed, the brilliance of Vincent Kompany’s side can be found in the forward line.

Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise have combined for an outrageous 95 goals and 46 assists in all competitions this season. It is difficult to find a better front three in the game right now.

Harry Kane has had an incredible season for Bayern (Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

The semi-final tie between Bayern and PSG will likely be won by the team that can find the most space in the attacking third.

Both teams boast so much attacking talent that it is surely safe to count on a high-scoring affair. Over 3.5 goals to be scored in Tuesday’s first leg is priced at 10/11, while it is 21/10 for over 4.5 goals.

Bayern Munich have won five of their last six meetings with PSG, including the match that took place in the league phase in November. A lot has changed since then, though, certainly for PSG, who are playing like the team that won last season’s Champions League title.

Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal

Metropolitano, Wednesday, April 29, 8pm UK (3pm ET)

This could be a more conservative affair, certainly if the game is played on the terms of the home side.

Arsenal have kept more clean sheets than any other team in this season’s Champions League and are also averaging the fewest goals conceded per game.

As in the Premier League, Arsenal’s continental challenge has been built on their strength at the back, which could result in a cagey encounter against Atletico, who can also play conservatively.

However, this is not a completely typical Diego Simeone team. In fact, Atletico Madrid are behind only Bayern, PSG and Barcelona for goals scored per match in this season’s Champions League.

The January addition of Ademola Lookman gave them a different dimension in the final third, pushing Simeone towards a more attack-minded approach that has produced results.

Simeone has attacking options to compare favourably against any other manager still in this season’s Champions League. Julian Alvarez is a proven difference-maker, while Antoine Griezmann remains Atletico’s creator-in-chief.

Then there is Alexander Sorloth, fresh from bagging a brace in the weekend win over Athletic Club. The Norwegian forward is the sort of focal point Arsenal sometimes lack.

In attacking transition, the energy of Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone will be key to Atletico’s chances of making their first Champions League final in 10 years.

While Arsenal returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s team created just 0.38 in open play expected goals (xG) and failed to find a second goal to kill the game.

Arsenal are favourites to win in the Spanish capital on Wednesday night, at 13/8. Atletico have already seen off one side of north London in this season’s Champions League and could also eliminate the red half.

Atletico Madrid are 9/5 to win this game and could be built to expose Arsenal’s weaknesses. They will test Arsenal’s ability to create in open play and have the attacking threat to create in transition moments.

Whatever unfolds in this week’s Champions League semi-final first legs, the narrative of an already fascinating European season will be added to.