Posts of the Week

When these two teams play, form is irrelevant.

Lady In Red said:

When these two teams play, form is irrelevant.

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Putting my money on United to win this one. Liverpool will play without Salah, Ekitike or Isak. Hard to see them not losing today.

Bena45 said:

the reds needs to start thinking of rebuilding in the summer

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The rebuilding process needs to start with the coach. Arne Slot doesn't seem capable

Newly crowned Swiss super league champions, FC Thun's fairly tale run to the title is nothing short of remarkable

Promoted from the Swiss second tier just last summer

Spent only $470,000 across the summer and January transfer windows

Represent a town with a population of just 45,000

Had never lifted a top-flight trophy before

Defying all expectations, FC Thun outplayed giants like FC Basel and BSC Young Boys to claim their first-ever Swiss Super League title

Truly inspirational

A place in the Europa League final is on the line on Thursday night when Aston Villa welcome Nottingham Forest to Villa Park for the decisive second leg of their all-English semi-final clash.

Forest carry a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first meeting at the City Ground, where Chris Wood calmly converted a second-half penalty after Lucas Digne’s handball handed the hosts a crucial breakthrough. However, Villa’s formidable European home form means this tie remains finely balanced heading into Birmingham.

Unai Emery has transformed Aston Villa into consistent European contenders over the last three seasons. After reaching the Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and the Champions League quarter-finals last year, Villa are now chasing their first major European final since winning the European Cup in 1982.

The task is straightforward but difficult: overturn a one-goal deficit against a Forest side full of momentum. Villa’s recent domestic form has been concerning, though. A rotated side suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, extending their run to three consecutive losses in all competitions.

Despite those setbacks, Villa Park has remained a fortress in Europe. The Villans have won their last nine continental home games and scored in 31 of their previous 32 European matches on home soil. Emery’s pedigree in this competition is also impossible to ignore, with the Spaniard winning the Europa League four times during his managerial career.

Historically, Villa also hold the upper hand in this fixture at home, remaining unbeaten against Forest at Villa Park since 1994.

Few expected Nottingham Forest to be in this position earlier in the season, but the arrival of Vitor Pereira has sparked a remarkable turnaround.

Forest enter this contest unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions, a run that has lifted them clear of relegation trouble while simultaneously carrying them to the brink of a European final. Monday’s impressive 3-1 victory over Chelsea further highlighted the confidence currently flowing through Pereira’s squad.

The Tricky Trees have already eliminated strong European opposition including Fenerbahce, Midtjylland and Porto during this campaign, and belief inside the squad is growing rapidly.

With two European Cup titles already in their history, Forest are no strangers to continental success. They have also progressed from 12 of their last 13 European knockout ties after winning the first leg.

Team News​

Villa are expected to recall several senior players after Emery rotated heavily against Tottenham. Ollie Watkins should return to spearhead the attack, while captain John McGinn is likely to recover from a minor muscular issue in time to feature.

However, the hosts remain without Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Boubacar Kamara through injury or ineligibility.

For Forest, Chris Wood returns to lead the line after Taiwo Awoniyi was omitted from the club’s UEFA squad. Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to start despite suffering a facial cut against Chelsea.

Defensive absentees remain a concern for the visitors, with Murillo, Ola Aina and Willy Boly unavailable.

Possible starting lineups​

Aston Villa:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

Nottingham Forest:
Ortega; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Dominguez, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Jesus, Wood

Prediction​

I like how you laid out the stakes, especially with both teams chasing Europe. In matches this tight, I sometimes look at how each side handles late-game pressure, since one moment can flip everything. I’ve also used Free MLB Picks before to get a feel for how stats-based predictions work, and applying that mindset helps me read football matchups with a bit more confidence too.

A place in the UEFA Champions League final is within touching distance as Atletico Madrid welcome Arsenal to the Estadio Metropolitano for a high-stakes semi-final first leg on Wednesday night.

Both sides are chasing history, with neither club having lifted Europe’s most prestigious trophy. Awaiting the winner in the final at the Puskás Aréna will be either Bayern Munich or reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Atletico Madrid are back in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2016–17 season after edging past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. Under the guidance of Diego Simeone, Atletico have evolved from their traditionally defensive approach into a more attacking force, scoring a club-record 34 goals in this season’s competition.

Their recent 3-2 La Liga victory over Athletic Bilbao ended a difficult domestic run and ensured they remain competitive in the top four. However, their record against English sides raises concern, with just two wins in their last 12 European meetings.

Still, Atletico’s home form against English opposition offers encouragement, having lost only twice in their last 18 such matches in Madrid.

For Arsenal, this marks a historic moment. Mikel Arteta has guided the club to back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time. The Gunners progressed past Sporting CP in a tight quarter-final and remain unbeaten in this season’s competition.

Arsenal topped the league phase with a perfect record and have lost just two of their last 22 Champions League matches. Despite recent domestic inconsistencies, their narrow win over Newcastle United has restored confidence as they continue their Premier League title push.

Their record against Spanish teams is particularly impressive, winning their last seven Champions League matches against La Liga opposition. They also travel to Madrid having lost just once in their last 11 away games in the competition.

Team News​

Atletico will be without Pablo Barrios and José Giménez due to injury, while Ademola Lookman and David Hancko remain doubts. Julián Álvarez is also being monitored but could start alongside Antoine Griezmann or Alexander Sørloth.

In midfield, Koke is expected to anchor the side, with support from Marcos Llorente or others.

For Arsenal, injuries continue to impact selection. Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are sidelined, while Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi face late fitness checks.

Bukayo Saka could return to the starting lineup after making a substitute appearance recently, while Viktor Gyökeres may lead the attack.

Possible Lineups​

Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Gonzalez; Griezmann, Alvarez

Arsenal:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Prediction​

Simeone and Arteta should take a cue from the Bayern vs PSG game and play some good football tonight!

Manuel Neuer can become the first player in history to win 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒

In 2012/13, Neuer won his first treble with Bayern, lifting the Bundesliga , DFB-Pokal and Champions League

In 2019/20, his second followed, winning the exact same 3 competitions

Now in 2025/26, he could very well repeat that. Under Kompany, Bayern look incredibly strong and are still on course for what would be Neuer’s third treble:

Bundesliga
DFB-Pokal (Final)
Champions League (Semi-finals)

Will Neuer write history and become the first player ever to win 3 trebles?

Ratulay said:

I’d look at how each side handles midfield pressure, because that could decide who controls the tempo and creates chances in such a tight contest.

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Brighton dominated and won the game, 3-0.