Europa League Semi-Final Best Bets – April 30

Braga will not fear any side in the last four of the Europa League as they continue to defy expectations on route to a potential major European final. In the last round, Braga were able to bounce back from a frustrating 1-1 draw with Real Betis at home as they beat their opponents 4-2 on the road. This followed on from a 4-2 aggregate win over Ferencvaros that featured a 4-0 win at home following a 2-0 loss on the road. Despite not being perfect in Europe this season, they have found a way to get things done, and I back them to extend their unbeaten run in Europe to four games as they defeat Freiburg in the first-leg.

Freiburg rounded off an incredibly impressive 6-1 aggregate win over Celta Vigo in the last round with a 3-1 win on the road following their 3-0 triumph at home. Freiburg have enjoyed big victories of late, with a 5-1 triumph over Genk back in mid-March seeing them book their place against Celta in the quarter-finals. However, it is worth noting that this came on the back of a 1-0 loss to Genk in the first-leg of their clash, with a 1-0 loss to Lille preceding this result. While Freiburg will fancy their chances of taking a spot in the final next month, I predict they will have to do things the hard way as they lose in the first-leg, with this making it defeats in three of their last four on the road in Europe. 

Nottingham Forest will be aiming to channel some of the performance that saw them secure a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa when the pair met in the league back on April 12. In Europe, Forest may have lost two of their last five, but they have won when it has mattered. A 3-0 win over Fenerbahce on the road was followed by a battling 2-1 loss at home as they won 4-2 on aggregate. Against Midtjylland, a 1-0 loss at home was followed by a 2-1 win after extra-time before they triumphed on penalties. Finally, their 1-1 draw with Porto in Portugal made way for a fighting 1-0 win in England. Their recent wins have not been big, but they have been enough to see them through. 

Aston Villa are looking to extend a stunning run of nine consecutive wins in Europe as they continue to march towards a major European crown. Their 7-1 aggregate win over Bologna saw the English side blow their opponents away, with their 3-1 away win particularly impressive. On the road, Villa have won five of their six matches, losing once to G.A. Eagles back in October. Against Forest, Villa boast two wins in their last three. Ollie Watkins has started to make a habit out of scoring in Europe, netting three goals across his last two games. With the striker in good form right now, I am backing him to find the back of the net in midweek.