Manchester City v Inter Milan: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Manchester City have racked up a maximum 12 points in the Premier League and they can make a successful start in the UEFA Champions League with a low-scoring success over Inter Milan at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side were far from their best in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at home to Brentford, but they will be intent on upping their levels for arguably their biggest game of the season so far.

Inter are unbeaten in Serie A although they sit third - two points behind surprise leaders Udinese - after a 1-1 draw at Monza on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri’s only previous meeting with City was in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final when they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.

Manchester City v Inter Milan betting tips and predictions

Manchester City to win and under 3.5 goals - 5/4

City had to work hard for their 1-0 victory over Inter in the 2023 final and they may have to go through a similar experience to edge past the Italians on Wednesday.

There are some pretty straightforward assignments on City’s UEFA Champions League schedule, but they will be hugely respectful of Inter, who were a class apart in Serie A last season.

Inter won the 2023-24 Scudetto in fine style, losing just two of 38 games and finishing 19 points clear of second-placed AC Milan.

This season they have taken eight points from four matches and narrowly avoided defeat on Saturday when Denzel Dumfries’ 88th minute goal salvaged a 1-1 draw at Monza.

Inter were not at their best at the weekend, but the same could be said of City, who were far from their usual dominant selves when winning 2-1 at home to the Bees.

Guardiola was more pleased with the result than the performance against Brentford and he will need more from his players if City are to avoid an early UEFA Champions League setback.

The massive weekend boost for Guardiola was Rodri’s first minutes in a City shirt since the end of last season.

Spain midfield ace Rodri should feature from the off against Inter and his involvement could be key in getting City over the line.

Kevin De Bruyne to score the first goal - 17/2

Erling Haaland has made a blistering start to the season, scoring nine goals in four matches, and he is the 13/5 favourite to break the deadlock against Inter.

However, the Norwegian was well shackled by Inter in the 2023 final and he could be in for another tough night’s work against a well-organised defence.

The hosts might need a moment of magic to get their noses in front and Kevin De Bruyne is as likely as anyone to provide it.

The Belgian has registered 14 shots in the Premier League this season, scoring once, and he looks an overpriced 17/2 shot to land the opening blow.

Rodri to be booked - 4/1

Rodri has been easing his way back to fitness after a disrupted pre-season and is expected to make his first club start of the campaign.

The 28-year-old was in Spain’s starting XI for their 4-1 Nations League success away to Switzerland, while he came on at half-time in City’s nervy triumph at home to Brentford.

Guardiola has shown patience with Rodri’s recovery process, but will be delighted to have such a key player available for such an important fixture.

Rodri has excellent attributes with and without the ball, but his destructive work could be key against Inter, who are a threat on the counter-attack.

However, given the lack of match sharpness, Rodri is unlikely to be spot on with his tackling and he looks as likely as any City player to enter referee Glenn Nyberg’s notebook.

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Manchester City v Inter Milan odds

Manchester City - 1/2
Draw - 7/2
Inter Milan - 5/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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