Monterrey vs. Inter Milan: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Inter Milan will be hoping the scars of their UEFA Champions League final humiliation have healed as they prepare to make their Club World Cup bow against Mexico's Monterrey.

The Italian giants play their Group E opener at the Rose Bowl less than three weeks after being crushed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, and have a new man in the dugout.

Monterrey vs. Inter Milan betting picks and predictions

Under 2.5 Goals (+120)

New Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu is expected to get off to a winning start to life in charge of the Nerazzurri up against Monterrey in Pasadena.

Chivu replaced Simone Inzaghi as head coach of the Serie A giants within days of the club's UEFA Champions League final disaster in Munich. He has history with the Milanese, having been part of the Inter team that won the treble under Jose Mourinho and this competition with Rafael Benitez in charge.

The Romanian inherits a world-class roster that delivered several titles under Inzaghi, but he hasn't had much time to work with his new charges and it has been a long, hard season at the San Siro.

Yet despite that, Inter are seen as a strong prospect against Monterrey, who are also under new management.

Former Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis was axed by the Mexican giants a month ago, with Domenec Torrent replacing him at the helm for the Club World Cup.

Their form was admittedly mixed under Demichelis and is still up-and-down under Torrent, but there are enough unknowns surrounding two clubs in transition to make you think perhaps that the Europeans are far too short.

The first unknown is how Chivu approaches the game tactically.

Inter became wedded to a 3-5-2 setup under Inzaghi, which earned them the 2023/24 Serie A title and twice took them to the verge of UEFA Champions League glory.

Chivu will likely work with that system, though it will be interesting to see to what extent he tweaks it.

He has a strong squad at his disposal, but this still feels like a new star,t and he immediately has a midfield to rebuild with Hakan Calhanoglu and Piotr Zielinski unlikely to be involved.

Torrent has been in his job a few days longer than Chivu and will be pleased that four-time Club World Cup winner Sergio Ramos is fit to add quality to the Rayados' defense.

Another Spaniard, Sergio Canales, is their playmaker and goalscoring talisman, though this is a game in which Monterrey are likely to be cautious and keen to avoid defeat.

To that extent, and given it's their first outings at the new-look competition, a low-scoring affair might be on the cards.

Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram may have different roles under Chivu, and there is no guarantee it clicks for Inter. As a result, back the Under.

Kristjan Asllani Over 1.5 Tackles (+200)

Chivu's arrival at the San Siro and injuries to midfielders Calhanoglu, Zielinski, and Davide Frattesi are set to offer Kristjan Asllani an opportunity.

The Albanian schemer hardly got much of a run under Inzaghi in three years in Milan and several clubs, among them Fiorentina, are interested in taking him off Inter's books.

But Asllani has travelled to the United States, and understandably so, with Chivu struggling to build his midfield.

New signing Petar Sucic could get a debut, though the 21-year-old is more likely to wait his turn behind Asllani, who is a solid enough performer when the chances come.

Last year, he made 22 appearances for Inter in Serie A but only 10 starts.

This could be his chance to shine and expect him to show his defensive talent by clocking up Over 1.5 tackles.

He was averaging 1.7 tackles per game during Albania's last Nations League campaign, demonstrating what he is capable of when he gets time on the pitch.

Esteban Andrada Over 3.5 Saves (+110)

If Monterrey are to keep the score down then they will need their defense to stay solid and 'keeper Esteban Andrada to have a good day.

Inter were the leading scorers in Italy's top division last term with 79 goals and averaged a league-high 15.1 shots per game.

Chivu likes his sides to be positive - his Parma team finished a lowly 16th in Serie A but were still the top scorers in the bottom half.

Thuram and Martinez are a threat to any defense, and Andrada can expect to be busy.

The Mexican stopper has a strong chance to produce Over 3.5 saves.

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Monterrey vs. Inter Milan odds

Monterrey	+425
Tie	+333
Inter Milan	-175

Monterrey vs. Inter Milan player props

Anytime Goalscorer

German Berterame (MON)	+275
Jose Alvarado (MON)	+333
Sergio Canales (MON)	+375
Lautaro Martinez (INT)	+100
Marcus Thuram (INT)	+125
Nicolo Barella (INT)	+333

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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.