Champions of the English Premier League, Manchester City will face Inter Milan, Champions of the Italian Serie A, in a highly anticipated match-day 1 clash of the newly revamped UEFA Champions League at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, September 17.
This encounter is their first since the 2023 final, where City triumphed 1-0. City aim to extend their unbeaten Champions League streak, while Inter seek revenge and a statement victory on English soil.
City Eye Strong Start in New Champions League | Home Win = 1.55
City come into this match with excellent form, winning all four of their Premier League matches so far. After a hard-fought 2-1 win against Brentford last weekend, the Premier League champions will be keen to start their Champions League campaign on the front foot.
Pep Guardiola’s side is unbeaten in 23 Champions League games including their penalty shootout defeat to the current Champions of the UCL, Real Madrid, and a win here would move them closer to equaling the record for the longest unbeaten streak in the competition's history.
With the world eager to see if Pep and his boys can replicate their domestic form in Europe against top teams like Inter Milan, the Citizens come into this one with yet another point to prove, although a defeat would not be the end of the world for them with seven (7) more games to go.
Inter Seek Revenge in Tough Away Fixture | Away Win = 6.14
Inter Milan travel to Manchester hoping to avenge their narrow defeat in the 2023 UCL final. Despite a 1-1 draw with Monza last weekend, Simone Inzaghi's side has been sold this season, winning two of their three Serie A matches.
Inter's record against English teams in the Champions League is respectable, with wins at Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool in the past. The Italian champions will be motivated to add City to that list.
While manager Simeone Inzaghi has enjoyed many successes at the helm of the Italian giants, he would know that all those past glories would mean little if Inter failed to capitalise on opportunities like this one to show their “elite club” credentials now and then.
Key Players & Team News:
City are without Oscar Bobb due to injury, while Nathan Ake remains sidelined until mid-October. However, Guardiola has plenty of depth, with John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Josko Gvardiol all battling for starting roles in defence.
Haaland, who has 41 goals in 39 Champions League matches, with nine goals in all competitions already this season, is expected to lead the attack, supported by the creativity of De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in midfield.
Inter's main absentee is Tajon Buchanan, who is recovering from a fractured tibia. Aisde from the Canadian, Inter does not have any injury concerns with Alessandro Bastoni, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolo Barella all expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested.
Marcus Thuram, with four goals this season, will be crucial alongside Captain Lautaro Martinez, who was on fire for his national side Argentina in their Copa America conquest over the off-season.
Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.68
City has a strong record at home, unbeaten in their last 46 matches at the Etihad (W39, D7) while also winning all their last five (5) games in all competitions. |Specials Market: Home & Over 2.5 = 2.12
Inter Milan is unbeaten in its last five (5) games in all competitions, winning two (2) and drawing the other three (3) including two away games. | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & GG/NG (Yes) = 2.10
Man City have scored in all their last five (5) games in all competitions with three of them seeing over 2.5 goals while Inter has also netted in all of their last five (5) games with over 2.5 goals happening in two of the 5 games. | Main Market: Over 2.5 = 1.68
You can follow and bet on the UEFA Champions League game, Man City vs Inter Milan, on MSport here.
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