The 2025/26 elite European football season is blasting toward its conclusion. Four of the continent's five biggest leagues have already been decided, with Bayern Munich reigning supreme in Germany, Paris Saint-Germain winning Ligue 1 yet again, and Inter Milan reclaiming the Scudetto. Barcelona sealed a second straight La Liga crown, and they did so in the most satisfying fashion possible: beating archrivals Real Madrid 2-0 at the Camp Nou in the final El Clásico of the season.
The English Premier League, however, is yet to be decided. Arsenal took a huge step toward the title with a 1-0 victory away at West Ham, with a controversial late VAR decision ruling out a 94th-minute equalizer for the Hammers, much to the dismay of the London Stadium faithful. With two games remaining, they are now two points clear of second-placed Manchester City and are the clear favorites to claim a first title in 22 years.
But it's not just the Premier League title race that is yet to be decided. All three of UEFA's elite club competitions have now reached the final stage, with Budapest, Istanbul, and Leipzig set to host three blockbuster games to determine this season's continental champions. But who will win each of those games? Here are our tips.
UEFA Champions League – Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain secured their spot in a second straight UEFA Champions League final, and they did so at the same stadium in which they claimed the famous 'Big-Eared' trophy for the first time 12 months ago. Last season, the Parisians thumped Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich's Allianz Arena in the most one-sided UCL final of all time. Fast forward to this term, and they have just dumped out Bayern Munich in the same stadium, winning 6-5 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in Bavaria and a thrilling 5-4 win in Paris.
They will meet Arsenal in the final in a repeat of last season's semifinal, a contest which the French champions won across two legs. The Gunners rebounded by reaching their first final in 20 years with a 2-1 semifinal victory against underdogs Atletico Madrid, and now they will be looking to follow in PSG's footsteps by also claiming the crown for the first time. If they are to do so, however, they will have to do it as betting underdogs.
One can bet on sports at Bovada, and the American bookie currently makes the reigning champions a 4/6 favorite to defend their crown, with Arsenal positioned as a 5/4 outsider. On this occasion, we will have to agree with them. Mikel Arteta's side is locked in a grueling title race that looks set to go down to the wire. PSG, however, already have the French title wrapped up, and their superstars will be fully rested and firing on all cylinders in Budapest on May 31st.
The menacing strike force of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, and 20-year-old hotshot Désiré Doué could well be too much for an admittedly robust Arsenal defence to contain. We predict they will get the job done, winning 2-0 and becoming just the second team ever to successfully win back-to-back Champions League crowns.
UEFA Europa League – Aston Villa
Aston Villa began the 2025/26 Europa League campaign as the favorites to go all the way, and nine months on from their opening game of the tournament, they remain the frontrunners. A comfortable semifinal triumph against compatriots Nottingham Forest secured their spot in the Istanbul final, and the bookies now make the Villains a clear 2/5 shot to secure the club's first European trophy in 44 years.
All that stands between them and the title are 11/5 outsiders Freiburg. The German outfit took full advantage of an early Braga red card in the semifinals to progress to a maiden European final, but we can't see any way they upset the odds on the banks of the Bosphorus.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is a Europa League specialist, winning this competition three times throughout his storied career – twice with Sevilla and then again with Villarreal. He knows what it takes to get the job done, and with stars like Emiliano Martínez, Morgan Rodgers, and Youri Tielemans on his side, they will surely get the job done in Istanbul. Our prediction is a 3-1 Villa victory.
UEFA Conference League – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace won the English FA Cup last season, a win that should have secured them a spot in the Europa League. Instead, however, they were forced to drop into the Conference League due to the club's owners also owning French giants Lyon, a team already in the Europa League. Due to the potential conflict of interest there, the Eagles had to settle for Europe's tertiary competition, but boy, have they made good on their first-ever European campaign.
Spanish side Rayo Vallecano are also in their maiden European season, and they too have enjoyed a fairytale run to the Leipzig final. They beat French outfit Strasbourg home and away in the semifinals, and they did so as narrow betting underdogs. If they are to leave Germany with the Conference League title, they will have to do the same again.
The Spaniards are an 8/5 underdog to win the trophy, with Palace positioned as the clear 2/5 favorite. We think those odds are pretty much bang on the money, and are predicting that the English outfit will complete a clean sweep for the betting favorites by lifting the trophy. It won't be easy, however. We predict a 1-1 draw, with Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson going on to become the hero in a penalty shootout.
