Manchester City vs Inter Milan
UEFA Champions League, KO: 20:00 Jun 10, 2023, Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
MANCHESTER CITY'S date with destiny arrives on Saturday night in Istanbul, but they have to get past an in-form Inter Milan team to win the Champions League for the first time.
Pep Guardiola's men overcame Manchester United in the FA Cup Final on Saturday to complete the second part of the treble and Simone Inzaghi's side stand in their way.
City were actually a long way from their vintage best and although they deserved to win, there were plenty of moments of worry before they claimed the trophy.
But while all the focus will likely shine on City, this is serious opposition they must overcome. Inter are finishing the season like an express train and have looked very impressive on the European stage this season too.
A 1-0 win at Torino made it 11 wins out of their last 12 games and the only defeat came at champions Napoli. They defeated city rivals AC Milan comfortably ‘home and away' at the San Siro to reach the final.
Guardiola is hoping to win this trophy for the third time and become only the sixth man to win it with two clubs. Inter have won this trophy three times, with the last time coming under Jose Mourinho in 2010.
How the bookies view this?
Inter are being seriously disrespected by the layers' prices. Manchester City appear like they only need to turn up to win according to the general 2/5 prices. Bet365 go 11/20 on an English win.
The Italians are a huge 13/2 to win it in 90 minutes with UniBet and the draw is 19/5 also with UniBet.
To lift the trophy, City are 2/9 with bet365 and Inter are 7/2 with Coral.
Recent head to heads
Surprisingly, the clubs have never met before.
Players to watch
While all eyes were on Erling Haalandon Saturday, it was Ilkay Gundogan who was the hero with a double. He is 4/1 to score anytime on Saturday with bet365.
Romelu Lukaku hasn't quite reached peak form this season, but the 30-year-old will always be a threat and he's in decent form going into the final with seven goals in his last 11 games. He seems a very big price at 9/2 with bet365 to score anytime.
Anything else catch the eye?
Bookies' lopsided view of this final may be more based on what City can do rather than what they will do. They were a long way from their best against United, who could easily have snatched a draw in the second half.
Perhaps they will turn it on and, if they do, there's not a team in Europe who can live with them. However, Inter Milan are in outstanding form themselves, bursting with confidence, well-organised and Inzaghi will have a plan to stop them. They are also brimming with high-level European experience.
There's no way you can be steaming in on 2/5 shots for a Champions League Final and certainly not against a team in as good form as Inter. While it's tempting to go for the 13/2 Italian win, the call is Inter on the double chance of draw or win at an excellent 15/8 with William Hill.
Usually with Italian teams, you would expect a park-the-bus, defensive display, but Inter usually see goals at both ends, as has been the case in three out of their last four Serie A matches.
Over 3.5 goals is far from an impossibility at 15/8 with Paddy Power.
This UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be played on Jun 10, 2023 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.
