Inter to stand firm in bid to progress

2010 Champions League winners Inter Milan face off with 2015 champions Barcelona if we are talking most recent crowns, in a match that will decide the European fate of Antonio Conte’s side. Inter kept narrowly kept their place at the summit of Serie A at the weekend, somewhat indebted to Laziowho beat Juventus 3-1 to continue their good form. Ballon D’Or winner for a record sixth time Lionel Messi has recovered from his early season injury to top the scoring charts in La Liga to which the Catalan Giants are in first place on goal difference.

How are they shaping up?

Tuesday’s visitors won an enthralling match at Camp Nou 2-1 in the reverse fixture with a Luis Suarez brace cancelling out Lautaro Martinez’s third minute opener. A world class volley from the Uruguayan was the highlight of the match and the former Liverpool marksman arguably bettered that strike with the cheekiest of backheel finishes in a resounding 5-2 win over Mallorcaon Saturday evening. Before their 0-0 stalemate with Roma at the San Siro last time out, the hosts had won five Serie A encounters on the bounce and are surprisingly strong bookies favourites to win here, there is a lot more at stake for Conte’s men with Barca already confirmed as group winners.

Where the match will be won and lost.

Chance conversion. Inter are strongest in both boxes, with the best performing front pair in world football right now of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, and a defensive trio of Diego Godin, Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar. Godin is a hugely important piece to the puzzle in this one with so much experience against Barcelona. Topped by heading in a title winning goal at Camp Nou when Atletico Madrid won the La Ligatitle in 2013/14.

There is no doubt the visitors will put everything into this match despite their position in the group, increased by the constant strain for results on the shoulders of Ernesto Valverde. Should the hosts not be victorious they are reliant on Slavia Prague avoiding defeat at Signal Iduna Park which seems unlikely. It would be a great achievement if Inter do progress having failed to beat the pot 4 Czech side on matchday one and having lost 3-2 despite being two goals to the good in front of the yellow wall on matchday four.

It feels like Serie A is the main priority this campaign for Antonio Contehowever beating Barcelona to qualify would send out a message to the rest of the competition, that Inter Milan are a force to be reckoned with in all competitions.

Barcelona will not be able to withstand the pressure of Inter’s excellent front two all game and will concede under the lights at the San Siro.

Inter Milan – Barcelona Betting Tip

Under 4.5 goals + Barcelona to Score Under 1.5 goals with Betfred at odds of 33/50.

Bet Under 4.5 goals + Barcelona to Score Under 1.5 goals on Betfred