Alan Smith’s Expert Predictions: Champions League & Europa Conference League Finals

Standout Players This Season

It’s hard not to look at the Barcelona lads, Lamine Yamal being the prime example. I mean, to get that kind of talent so young, once in a generation, I think, beyond his years, is putting it mildly, and he seems to be able to produce most days. So it’s quite incredible.

Raphinha, as well, has had a fantastic season. Denzel Dumfries, I think, deserves a mention – he’s helped Inter get to the final, that storming right wing back, his energy levels are just incredible. But for sheer excitement and flair, Yamal is your man.

Vitinha’s Development

I didn’t see it coming. He was young during his spell at Wolves, and Nuno used him more as a sub than a starter. At that age, coming across to the Premier League, it’s not easy. He’s got a small, diminutive frame. Maybe handling himself in the Premier League at that age was a little bit too much.

However, I certainly didn’t see this coming, and Luis Enrique absolutely loves him, doesn’t he? He described him as one of the best midfielders in the world just the other day. He doesn’t score a lot of goals, but he moves the ball on really cleverly. He’s done really well, and he’s an integral part of that PSG team.

Lautaro Martínez’s Future

He averages a goal every other game at Inter, and he’s been there a long time. There were whispers of him coming to England before, weren’t there? It never happened though.

It’d be a shame if he went to Saudi Arabia. It’d be great to see him in the Premier League, I think he could do well, if he wanted to come over and do it. He makes good runs. He’s a really energetic striker, and obviously a really good finisher. He’s 27, so he’s in maybe his peak years. It’d be nice to see him over here. There are quite a few clubs needing strikers, as we know – Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea, they’re talking about Osimhen maybe coming, so strikers are very much in demand at the moment.

Prediction

I’ve had this sneaky feeling for Inter Milan all the way through, but I don’t know, maybe it’s going to be PSG’s year. They obviously fell short at the final a few years ago. To be honest, I hope they do it – they’re a more entertaining team to watch. I think they’ve probably got more avenues to win a game. They have more match winners, so I’ll go 2-1 PSG.

PSG 2 – 1 Inter Milan

Chelsea’s Season Assessment

Sunday was the big day for them, there’s no question. It’s not often that a league game is more important, much more important than a European final, but that was the case at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

You could see the scenes afterwards, the pressure relief from Maresca, he looked exhausted at the end, you could see he had been feeling the pressure. The lads looked like they enjoyed that win, they all want to play in the Champions League.

But to adorn that with a European trophy would be the icing on a very good season. And given how young that squad is, you’re thinking this team should improve now. This team really should improve. It’s been a little up and down at times, but I’m sure they would want to get a few players in, perhaps a keeper, a centre forward, but it’s turned out well for them.

Chelsea’s Young Squad

Tyrique George has had a lot of games, hasn’t he? He played against Man United the other week and couldn’t really influence it. He played through the middle. I think he probably prefers it on one of the flanks, Tyrique George. So it’ll be interesting to see what kind of team Maresca picks, whether he sticks with the younger guys. I would hesitate to guess that he will go for a mixture, but will play some of the younger players in the final, because it’s not as vital now.

Josh Acheampong seems to have had a regular shout as well. He’s 19 as well, the same as George, and he’ll be hoping to turn out for that final. Great experience for the kids if they do get the start. But he’s got lots to pick from, hasn’t he? Lots of options.

Antony Form at Betis

Sometimes a move like that can just release you, you could see he wasn’t enjoying it at United. It’s a different kettle of fish. The pressure, the scrutiny at Old Trafford is different from what he’s experiencing at Betis, so he’s flourished there, the weight’s been lifted off his shoulders.

I don’t think he’s good enough for Manchester United. I really don’t. His attitude hasn’t been right at times, so he’ll probably want to leave in the summer, and United will want him to leave. But he’ll be a threat in that final. He’s got his mojo back, he’s scoring a few goals, so that’ll be an interesting one.

Prediction

I’ve got Chelsea down for this – maybe not a high-scoring game at the moment, Chelsea haven’t got a lot of goals in them. Nicholas Jackson is back. But I’m gonna go 2-0 Chelsea. They’re defending much better now, which makes me think perhaps they could keep a clean sheet. 2-0 Chelsea.

Real Betis 0 Chelsea 2

Sunderland’s Promotion

They’ve got to keep their best players, like Jobe Bellingham, and add to it, haven’t they? It’s always a balancing act in terms of committing yourself financially – how far do you go? You’ve got to try and give yourself a chance. Luton didn’t really spend big, and perhaps it cost them in the end.

So it’s going to be difficult for them without question. There’s a huge gap now, which seems to be getting bigger, which isn’t particularly great for either division. But it’s good to see them back – they’re a big, big club, the atmosphere in those home games at the Stadium of Light will be wonderful, so looking forward to that.

Wrexham and Birmingham’s Premier League Ambitions

Well, Ipswich did it, didn’t they? With less money, I think. So it’s not beyond the realms of belief that Wrexham or Birmingham could get promoted again next season.

I’m from Birmingham, and I was kind of a Villa fan as a boy, but it’s great to see Birmingham doing well. They almost seemed to have a spell put over them at one time. They thought there was a curse on the place. So they seem to be having a bit more luck now. Obviously, they’ve got the financial backers too.

Really, realistically, it’s about establishing themselves in the championship, and going again if they can. Same for Wrexham – what an amazing story. You can go too far, too quickly. If they do get promoted, they’ll want to stay up there in the Premier League, but it’s a great story for both clubs. It’s really interesting to see how they’ve worked it at those places.

Alan will continue to cover the hottest topics and latest developments in the football world, providing expert analysis and informed opinions each week. Stay tuned for the next instalment only at Best Betting Sites.