Inter Milan made a blistering start to their Champions League semi-final tie against AC Milan and they will be confident of sealing a place in the final in Tuesday's second leg.

James Milton's Inter v Milan Tips

Inter to win @ 21/20
Inter to win 1-0 @ 6/1
Marcelo Brozovic to be booked @ 7/4

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Setting the scene…

Only Real Madrid have been crowned European champions more often than Milan, but the Rossoneri's hopes of an eighth title look slim following their 2-0 semi-final first-leg defeat to their city rivals.

Early goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Inter a significant advantage after what was, nominally at least, the away leg for them at San Siro, and they followed up by stretching their winning run in Serie A to five matches with a 4-2 home win over Sassuolo.

Milan, in contrast, slipped to a 2-0 loss at lowly Spezia and if they are to have any chances of making the Champions League final they need to score at least twice on Tuesday, something they have managed in only four of their last 20 matches in all competitions.

Inter to win @ 21/20

For much of the season there has been little between the two Milan clubs in Serie A, but Inter appear to be peaking at the right time while Milan have had a tough few weeks.

Simone Inzaghi's Inter side came into the first leg on a run of five straight domestic victories, including a 6-0 rout of Verona, impressive Serie A wins against Lazio and Roma, and a 1-0 Coppa Italia success against Juventus.

Their confidence was apparent in their brilliant start to the first leg and Milan, missing influential Portugal forward Rafael Leao, did not have the attacking tools to drag themselves back into the game.

The Rossoneri beat Tottenham and Napoli 1-0 in the first legs of their previous two Champions League knockout ties and were able to stand firm away from home in the second legs.

Now, though, they have to chase the tie and that will take them well out of their comfort zone, especially if the dynamic Leao is not fit to return.

While Inter are on a seven-match winning run in all competitions, Milan have won only four of their last 15.

They have been held to league draws by Cremonese, Empoli, Bologna and Salernitana in the past couple of months and their performance in Saturday's 2-0 loss at Spezia drew the ire of the Milan ultras - hardly the perfect preparation for Tuesday's colossal clash with Inter.

James Milton's Tip:

The first leg went with the formbook as improving Inter claimed a valuable 2-0 advantage and they should be backed at 21/20 to seal the tie in style.

Milan have been struggling for goals in all competitions recently and they look ill-equipped to launch a Champions League comeback against their San Siro co-tenants.

Inter to win 1-0 @ 6/1

Inter's quarter-final second leg against Benfica ended 3-3 at San Siro, but coach Inzaghi will want a more controlled performance in the rematch with Milan.

After a 3-2 derby defeat earlier in the Serie A season, Inter have won their last three meetings with Milan without conceding a goal.

A 3-0 Super Cup victory was followed by a 1-0 Serie A win and the 2-0 success in the first leg and the Nerazzurri are capable of stifling their rivals again.

Milan drew a blank at Spezia at the weekend and they needed injury-time equalisers in their recent 1-1 league draws with Roma and Cremonese.

James Milton's Tip:

Inter know they are in control of the tie so they do not need to take any risks early on in the second leg.

Milan haven't scored in their last three derby games and Inter to win 1-0, as they did in the league in February, appeals at 6/1.

Marcelo Brozovic to be booked @ 7/4

Inter boss Inzaghi will not want to make too many changes to the team who won the first leg, but he could be tempted to recall Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic to add a bit more steel to the engine room.

The Inter midfielders got stuck in during the first leg with Mkhitaryan making four tackles, and earning a yellow card, while Nicolo Barella made three tackles and two fouls.

A similar approach is likely as Inter aim to disrupt Milan's rhythm and stave off any threat of a comeback so Brozovic, who has received nine yellow cards in 25 Serie A appearances this season, could be unleashed on Tuesday.

James Milton's Tip:

A feisty derby encounter is expected with Over 5.5 Cards chalked up at 10/11 and Inter midfielder Brozovic looks the pick of the value in the Player to be Booked market.

He came on as a sub in the first leg but if he starts on Tuesday then he will have a key role in breaking up the play and looks a likely yellow-card candidate at 7/4.

James Milton's Inter v Milan Tips

Inter to win @ 21/20
Inter to win 1-0 @ 6/1
Marcelo Brozovic to be booked @ 7/4

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

bet365 News Team

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