It a do-or-die encounter for Inter Milan when they host Spanish giants Barcelona in their final Group F match at the San Siro. A win will see Inter progress to the last 16. However, Barcelona haven’t lost a group game in three years, therefore, this is expected to be an intriguing encounter. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here.
Inter Milan are having a great season in Serie A so far. They are top of the table after 15 games. However, their Champions League campaign has not been as impressive. Anything other than a win for Inter will be a disaster. A loss, coupled with a Borussia Dortmund win over Slavia Prague would dump Inter into the Europa League. Can Inter do it?
Barca are ensured of topping Group F. The Blaugrana came from a goal down to beat Inter Milan in the reverse fixture, with Luis Suarez scoring a match-winning brace. With a tough game at Real Sociedad coming up this weekend, Ernesto Valverde is expected to heavily shuffle the pack, with key players like Lionel Messi not travelling to Italy.
Betting preview
Inter Milan have lost just once at home all season in all competitions. This game means more to Inter than Barcelona. Therefore, Antonio Conte should play his strongest side. Barcelona are expected to bring a heavily rotated team to Milan, given qualification is already secured. Inter have lost one of their last nine matches in Europe. Barça have won only five of their last 15 away matches in European competition. The visitors are without a win in their last eight trips to Italy. You can back a Home Win at odds of 1.60.
Lautaro Martinez has scored five goals in his last five appearances for Inter. He scored for Inter against Barcelona in the first leg and he’s one of the most in-form attackers in the world. Therefore, you can back Lautaro Martinez as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 2.05.
Four of Inter’s last five games in all competitions have seen three or fewer goals scored while eight of Barcelona’s last nine matches away from home have seen Under 3.5 Goals. You can back Under 3.5 Goals in this match at odds of 1.55.
Team news
Antonio Conte will be without up to four players tonight. Alexis Sanchez, Roberto Gagliardini, Stefano Sensi and Nicolo Barella will be unavailable due to injury.
Messi, Jordi Alba, Nelson Semedo, Arthur and Ousmane Dembele will miss tonight’s game due to a combination of injury and resting key players for what is a dead rubber for Valverde. Carles Alena and Arturo Vidal are both pushing for starts having come off the bench in their 5-2 win over RCD Mallorca.
Possible line-ups
Inter Milan: Handanovic, De Vrij, Godin, Skriniar, Candreva, Valero, Vecino, Brozovic, Biraghi, Lukaku, Martinez.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Wagué, Umtiti, Lenglet, Firpo, Busquets, Alena, Vidal, Perez, Fati, Griezmann.