Champions League 24/25: Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain first leg betting tips

Ahead of the 2024/25 Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and PSG, the experts at Ladbrokes share their top betting tips.

Arsenal will be desperate to put in a performance that resembles their quarter-final first-leg demolition of Real Madrid, where Declan Rice stepped up with two memorable free kicks to give the Gunners an unassailable lead.

Below are Ladbrokes' top betting tips for Arsenal vs PSG on April 29, with the bookies backing Mikel Merino to score.

Since being deployed as an emergency centre forward for the Gunners, Mikel Merino has more than delivered for his side, popping up with crucial contributions against the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea.

A suspension to Thomas Partey means Merino is likely to be seen in his more conventional central midfield role in this game, but with his aerial threat, Ladbrokes is backing him to get the better of the PSG back line and find the net again - probably from a set piece.

Donnarumma has been known to flap at crosses, which Arsenal will certainly look to exploit, and having showcased a real ability to finish in recent weeks, Merino will be ready to challenge the likes of Marquinhos and help his side to another famous Champions League victory.

In a game between two sides with bundles of attacking threat, this match promises to deliver a bucket load of chances for both teams, as they battle to dominate possession and test the opposition goalkeeper.

PSG have built a reputation throughout this season's Champions League for being incredibly difficult to stop once they get in their flow, registering over 20 shots on a consistent basis, and this inevitably leads to lot of corners being won by the French champions - who took 14 corners over the two quarter-final matches against Aston Villa.

Arsenal also thrive on corners and set pieces, averaging more than five corners a game across their UCL campaign, so Ladbrokes expects the Gunners earn a few more here - as this could also be their most effective route to goal.

In a year where Ousmane Dembele has finally shown the world what he is capable of, the Frenchman has lit up the Champions League with seven goals, three assists and countless brilliant performances, testing defences and goalkeepers throughout Europe.

And this tie will be no different, with Dembele lining up as part of a fluid front three, drifting wide to pick up the ball in dangerous positions but also looking to hurt Arsenal through the middle, testing William Saliba and Jakob Kiwior with his frightening pace.

Ladbrokes is tipping the electric forward to have 2+ shots on target in this match, possibly even adding to his 32 goals in all competitions. Comfortable on either foot and always looking to hurt the opposition defence, Dembele will be a difficult man to stop in north London.

Rounding off our expert betting tips for Arsenal vs PSG, we're expecting both teams to score in what should be a pulsating affair, with a real haul of chances and both attacks causing endless problems.

Whether it's through a set piece or by exposing the high-flying PSG full backs, Arsenal have to score in this game to take a positive result into the second leg in Paris, and will be determined to give their fans something to cheer - just as they did in the quarter-final against Real Madrid.

On the other side, PSG always score, only failing to find the net in one match since December. With such an abundance of attacking threat and an average of over two goals per game across their UCL campaign, the French champions are almost impossible to keep out and are tipped to take at least one goal into the second leg.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.