Three of the last four in this years’ UEFA Europa League semis might well have been predicted as it comprises Premier League Manchester United and Tottenham as well as the putative hosts, Athletic Bilbao.
But the other club would definitely not be on many forecasts - Bodo/Glimt.
Meanwhile in the Conference League one team - Premier League Chelsea - is expected to dominate.
Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt.
The Norwegians began the league phase of the competition by beating Porto at their atmospheric home ground, despite going down to ten men.
Like Stoke on a Tuesday night not many teams would relish the trip to the Arctic Circle and a meeting with Bodo on their artificial pitch.
And that was the way it turned out, with the likes of Besiktas, Olympiakos, and then Lazio all failing at the Aspmyra Stadium.
But Bodo could also perform away from home as they showed by winning at Braga and running Manchester United close at Old Trafford before their famous quarter-final penalty shootout victory in the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Whether they can perform another miracle and make the final, might depend on Danish top scorer Kasper Hogh getting more goals.
And whether they can negotiate their way to a ‘result’ in the first leg at the Tottenham Stadium.
Tottenham themselves are having what the cynics might describe as another ‘Tottenham style’ season featuring lurches from good to bad and back again.
Combine that with persistent pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou, such that he does seem close to cracking.
However, their (long suffering) fans would point to their list of injuries as part of the reason for the inconsistencies.
But on that note, timing might just favour Spurs especially if the likes Van de Ven, Kulusevski, Son plus Richarlison are now fit and firing.
Based on that talent pool Tottenham should then get past Bodo, although some pundits will be ready to revel in their discomfort if they do lose.
And perhaps even if Postecoglou does get them to the final it might not save his job (however he will no doubt enjoy the moment)
To many this looks like a game too far for Bodo but if they do book their ticket to Bilbao they would make more history, as the first Norwegian team to play in a major European final.
Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United.
Like Tottenham, United are having a poor league season lying in the lower reaches of the EPL and garnering much criticism from the legion of ex-players in the media.
But, and as usual there is a but, they astonished everyone with a late three-goal last-eight revival to eliminate Lyon at Old Trafford.
England defender Harry Maguire inspired that victory and he, and midfielder Bruno Fernandes, will be key men in the semi against Athletic.
It could be that they will have to perform another miracle in the second leg.
That is because Bilbao presents a formidable challenge led by the attacking threat of Inaki and the much coveted Nico Williams.
With a United defence that betrays a fragility, from the sometimes maligned goalie through to midfield, the Basques are sure to relish the chance to get at them.
Plus the United front line can hardly be forecasted to deliver with Hojlund clearly lacking confidence and Garnacho often too erratic
Which points to victory for Athletic (notwithstanding another ‘Fergie time’ comeback) and a return to the San Mames for the final on 21 May.
And what could be their first major European crown, they having lost out in the 2012 UEL final to fellow Spaniards Atletico Madrid.
UEFA Conference League semis preview.
Real Betis v Fiorentina.
Having lost out in the last two Conference League finals the Viola will be especially keen to make it third time lucky in Wroclaw.
The Italians did have tight contests with Panathinaikos and Slovenians Celje when they needed striker Moise Kean to contribute crucial goals.
Now coached by the relatively untried Raffaele Palladino, Fiorentina will face a Spanish side who were less convincing in the League Phase, losing twice, before beating Vitoria Guimaraes and the Poles Bialystok.
But unlike their opponents Betis can call on considerable experience from the 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini, who has a CV including coaching periods at Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The Chilean has now guided his team to their first ever European semi and he may well take them further.
Being able to call on the likes of Isco, Cedric Bakambu, and a revived Antony, makes them marginal favourites to win through.
Djurgardens v Chelsea.
It will be a major shock if Chelsea do not fulfill the longtime predictions and make it to the Conference League final (and win?)
The Londoners certainly have their critics, especially of their sometimes laboured buildup play.
But they have an extensive range of talent to call on, often featuring England’s Cole Palmer.
Though he has gone off the boil a bit lately, his skill can transform a game.
Combine him with an array of attacking options including Jackson, Madueke, Nkunku, and Sancho and Chelsea should ease past their Swedish opponents.
Like Real Betis, Djurgardens will be participating in their first European semi-final and they will certainly not be favourites.
They will undoubtedly need plenty of help from their vociferous home support and maybe more goals from Norwegian Tobias Gulliksen to have any chance.
It is hard to see Djurgardens, and Finnish coach Jani Honkavaara, stopping Chelsea from going on to contest the final on 28 May (and probably completing a unique portfolio of European club titles)
Analysis - John Bethell
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