NOBODY does the Champions League quite like Zinedine Zidane but the Real Madrid boss desperately needs a win against Inter Milan to stop his side from sliding towards an early exit this season.
The Frenchman, a four-time winner of the competition as player and boss at the Bernabeu, saw his side start the group stage with a shock 3-2 home loss to a Shakhtar Donetsk team decimated by Covid-19 (below).
It looked like they would follow that up with another defeat in Monchengladbach only for Real to score twice in the last three minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw.
That proved the players are still fighting for Zidane and they have gone three games unbeaten since that Shakhtar loss, including a 3-1 win at Barcelona in El Clasico.
But they will still need to hit top form to see off an Inter side whose only loss so far this season came in a 2-1 derby defeat to Milan.
Antonio Conte's men have been drawing too many games, though, and need a win to spark their European campaign to life after stalemates with Monchengladbach and Shakhtar.
How the bookies view it
Despite Real Madrid's struggles in Europe this term they are still odds-on favourites here and a best 19/20 at Skybet. Inter are 31/10 at BetVictor while a third successive Champions League draw for Conte's men pays 14/5 at Unibet.
Team news
Lucas Vazquez is a doubt for Real Madrid after picking up a thigh injury in the weekend win over Huesca. Alvaro Odriozola is a major doubt while Martin Odegaard, Dani Carvajal and Nacho remain sidelined.
Inter are sweating on the fitness of star striker Romelu Lukaku and it will be a huge blow if a muscle injury forces him out. Alexis Sanchez also missed the weekend draw with Parma but has a better chance of facing Real. Stefano Sensi remains out and Milan Skriniar is unlikely to start after recovering from Covid-19.
Players to watch
Eden Hazard is finally fit again for Real and the former Chelsea star netted in the win over Huesca. He's 37/20 for anytime scorer here at 888Sport but I'm more drawn to the 7/2 on offer at Betway for a Sergio Ramos goal. The skipper (below) takes Real's penalties and netted one in the win over Barca.
With Lukaku set to miss out, Inter's best hope for a goal probably lies with Lautaro Martinez and he's 43/20 with 888Sport for anytime scorer.
Anything else catch the eye?
I was let down by Juventus when I tipped both teams to score in their clash with Barcelona on Matchday Two, another mouthwatering Serie A v La Liga clash. But I'm going to stick with it here at 8/15 with William Hill as Zidane's side have looked vulnerable at the back in the Champions League.
Those odds aren't great so try doubling it with a goal in each half, which increases the payout to 14/10 with the same firm. Over 2.5 goals appeals but it's poor at a best 4/7 with William Hill.
These teams are pretty evenly matched so I wouldn't expect any victory to be emphatic. A one-goal winning margin for either side pays 6/4 at Betway and that's worth a punt.
This UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan will be played on Nov 3, 2020 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Real Madrid vs Inter Milan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
