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It’s a crucial week in Europe, the week that will decide the finalists for Budapest, Istanbul and Leipzig in 2026.
The UEFA Champions League final will be held at the Puskás Arena, Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.
The UEFA Europa League final will be held at Besiktas Park, also known as Tupras Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey, on May 20.
The UEFA Europa Conference League final will be held at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany, on May 27.
It is a crucial week for the semi-finalists, and this is not really about who played better last week. It is about who can live with the pressure now. Protecting a lead is its own skill. Chasing one without losing shape is another. Somewhere between urgency and control, the finalists will be decided.
So, with places in Budapest, Istanbul and Leipzig on the line, here’s how I see it, and my 30.00 odds picks to reach the finals.
Champions League
Bayern Munich vs PSG (PSG lead 5-4)
There are normal semi finals, and then there is whatever that first leg was.
Nine goals in Paris last week was a chaotic and end-to-end contest and we had two elite sides daring each other to blink first. Many have tagged it the best games they’ve ever watched, whilst some disagree.
PSG were devastating for long stretches, Bayern were chaotic but resilient, and somehow a one goal deficit now travels back to Germany feeling dangerous for both clubs.
Which was your favourite goal from last night's thriller? ?pic.twitter.com/3MpxpqOHdp
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) April 29, 2026
That is the thing here. Bayern are behind, but not broken.
In fact, scoring four away from home may be the biggest psychological advantage a trailing side could ask for.
When asked after the first leg what he wanted to see from his side back in Germany, Vincent Kompany’s answer was simple, more of what transpired in Paris, and even more.
That should tell us everything. From both sides, this promises to be even more electrifying, a game likely to carry greater intensity, more risk, and higher stakes.
Fixtures like this are never easy to call, but I think Bayern go through.
MikeThePundit’s finalist: Bayern Munich
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid (1-1)
This one already feels tighter.
Where Bayern and PSG offered chaos, Arsenal and Atlético gave us a first leg shaped more by restraint. It was still an entertaining contest, but not one flooded with goals, in fact, both came from the penalty spot.
For Arsenal, coming away from the Metropolitano with a draw is a significant advantage heading back to the Emirates.
Are Arsenal booking their place in the UCL final tonight? ?
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) May 5, 2026
And we know what Arsenal can be at home, fearless, aggressive, and often overwhelming.
Although, in this new Champions League format, home advantage carries a little less weight. Away goals are gone now, and ultimately, it is simply about outscoring your opponent.
Arsenal look poised to take this one, and for all Atlético Madrid will throw at them, Arsenal should just edge it.
MikeThePundit’s finalist: Arsenal
Europa League
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest (Forest lead 1-0).
A proper Premier League fixture, only this time under European lights.
Nottingham Forest, after a torrid season, seem to have found form at exactly the right moment. For so long, this campaign has been about survival, about dragging themselves clear of a relegation battle that threatened to define them. Now, suddenly, there is shape, belief, and perhaps something more.
Vítor Pereira, their fourth manager of the season, appears to finally be finding the right answers.
For Forest, the idea of chasing a European trophy after everything this season has thrown at them would feel almost surreal, and taking a first-leg advantage over Villa offers a genuine confidence boost at the City Ground.
But the margin feels too slender to truly rattle Aston Villa.
Villa Park has been a place of authority for Unai Emery’s side in Europe this season, and they will back themselves to overturn the deficit and find a way through. More importantly, they have a manager who understands this competition, who knows what these nights demand, and that experience alone can often tilt fine margins.
Villa, too, know this season needs something tangible, something silver.
It should be intense, tense, and deeply give the Premier League feel on its edge, but I think Aston Villa will find a way, and book their place in the final.
MikeThePundit’s finalist: Aston Villa
Freiburg vs Braga (Braga lead 2-1)
Braga’s late first leg winner changed this tie.
Instead of Freiburg returning home level, they now carry urgency, and urgency can distort good teams.
Freiburg will back themselves in Germany, particularly if they can start fast. But Braga now has a cleaner emotional landscape. They know what the game needs. Discipline, patience and one moment.
It’s still open to anyone though, and it’s going to take a whole lot to do to earn it.
This feels close, but I am backing Braga’s composed and get through to the final
MikeThePundit’s finalist: Braga
Conference League
Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano (Rayo lead 1-0)
This may be the least glamorous tie, but perhaps the most fragile.
Rayo’s one goal lead is useful, though far from secure, and Strasbourg should view this as one of the more recoverable deficits in Europe this week.
Strasbourg under Gary O’Neil have been really good and at home, they will likely control more of the game.
This one is open ended, although Rayo have the advantage now, but Strasbourg have a lot to turn it around.
MikeThePundit’s finalist: Strasbourg
Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk (Palace lead 3-1)
Of all the ties from last week, Crystal Palace should be the most confident heading into this week.
A 3-1 win away from home in a semi-final does not just put you in control, it makes the final feel real.
Winning by that margin on the road is not something to romanticise. It is something to manage properly. Oliver Glasner’s side have already done the difficult part. Now comes the discipline.
Shakhtar will come chasing, as they have to. Two goals, while significant, are not impossible to erase, especially if they strike early. A fast start, one before half-time, and suddenly the entire complexion of the tie changes.
But that urgency could also play directly into Palace’s hands.
With Selhurst Park behind them, Palace may actually become even more dangerous, because space, pressure and desperation can be weapons for the team already ahead.
Crystal Palace are in a strong position, and I see them getting the job done and reaching the final.
MikeThePundit’s finalist: Crystal Palace
So once again, my picks for the final are:
UCL Final: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
UEL Final: Braga vs Aston Villa
UECL Final: Crystal Palace vs Strasbourg
Those six teams to reach the final comes in at a huge 30.84 odds, and you can back Mike’s prediction acca below!
