Manchester City begin their latest quest for Champions League glory when they entertain Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
After conquering the continent for the first time in 2023, City came up short when defending their European crown last season, losing out at the quarter-final stage to eventual winners Real Madrid.
That setback didn’t stop Pep Guardiola's star-studded side from going on to claim a record-breaking fourth Premier League title in succession.
The Citizens have since started the 2024/25 Premier League season with four straight wins, the most recent of which came against Brentford on Saturday, on an afternoon where my Bet Builder landed.
As for Inter Milan, they have made a somewhat shaky start to their own title defence in Serie A, winning two and drawing two of their opening four assignments of the season so far.
Simone Inzaghi’s side fell at the first hurdle in the knockout round of last season’s Champions League, suffering a penalty shootout heartbreak against Atletico Madrid.
How the bookies view it: Citizens to start with a win
Man City go into their maiden Champions League match of the season as 8/15 favourites on Bet 365.
Inter Milan are big underdogs here at 5/1 with William Hill, while an all square affair at the Etihad is an unfancied 10/3 with Bet 365.
Head to head: City seeking 2023 repeat
Man City broke new ground by defeating Inter Milan to win their first-ever Champions League trophy in 2023. Somewhat surprisingly, that is the only previous meeting between the pair, on a night where Rodri’s goal proved decisive in a 1-0 win for City.
With City getting the clean sheet and the clear majority of possession (57%) on the night, their performance met at least two of the 12 criteria for UCL glory.
Players to watch: Haaland to hit double figures?
Quite astonishingly, Erling Haaland already has nine goals to his name across his four Premier League appearances this season. The Norwegian ace is 5/6 (Bet 365) to strike on Wednesday night against an Inter Milan side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their two Serie A away games this season so far.
Marcus Thuram is the joint-top goalscorer (4 goals) after four rounds of action in Serie A this season. The French forward is as big as 10/3 (UniBet) to find the back of the net this midweek.
Predicted line-ups
Injured duo Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake will miss out for Man City on Wednesday night.
Lautaro Martinez missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Monza but the Inter Milan captain is expected to return to the starting XI against Man City.
Man City: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Bernardo Silva, Doku; Haaland.
Inter Milan: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Dimarco, Barella, Calhanoglu Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Anything else catch the eye?
Dipping into the player fouls market, Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco stands out for a solitary misdemeanour at even-money on Bet 365.
The Italian defender is far from a foul merchant but he did get on the wrong side of the referee during Inter’s 4-0 win over Atalanta earlier this season, not to mention he committed a foul during Italy's recent Nations League win over France.
Given the pace and flair that Man City possess in wide areas, Dimarco looks overpriced to clock up just one offence on Wednesday night at evens (Bet 365).
This UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be played on Sep 18, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Inter Milan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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