Friday, March 29, 2024

Prediction: Inter Milan vs AC Milan

Verdict: Inter Milan win 

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

With all eyes once again falling on the San Siro in midweek, Inter Milan will look to finish off the job when they meet AC for their Champions League semi-final second-leg on Tuesday night.

Inter Milan

Starting with Inter, although the Nerazzurri might have shown some extended issues on either side of March’s international break, Simone Inzaghi’s side have come roaring back in some style. Enjoying a famous night at the San Siro last week as they claimed a deserved 2-0 first-leg victory, the ex-Lazio boss will simply be calling on his high-flying squad to finish off the job here. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they secured an action-packed 4-2 victory against Sassuolo, Inter have now won each of their last seven straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to a 3-3 draw against Benfica on April 19th. With their purple patch highlighted by a 6-0 romp away at Verona earlier in the month, it is no secret that the Nerazzurri have gained a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. Notching 21 strikes on their seven-match winning run, Inzaghi’s men are certainly sat in the driving seat on Tuesday night.

Team News

Still dealing with a back injury and not making a single appearance since back on March 14th, Milan Skriniar will once again miss out on Tuesday night. Likewise, 29-year-old Dalbert will not feature for the remainder of the season after suffering a long-term knee issue.

Notching seven strikes in his previous eight appearances across all competitions, the red-hot Lautaro Martinez will once again spearhead Inzaghi’s attack here. Although Romelu Lukaku might be enjoying his own recent flurry, the Chelsea-loanee should have to settle for a spot on the bench in midweek.

AC Milan

As for AC, although the Rossoneri might have impressed many on their Champions League adventure this season, Stefano Pioli’s side are in the midst of another extended wobble. Knowing that they face a real uphill battle if they’re to mount a famous semi-final comeback here, the one-time Bologna boss has found some growing pressure on his shoulders this year. Failing to defend their Serie A crown this time around, AC also failed to pick up a much-needed boost over the weekend. Putting in a flat display as they slumped to a 2-0 loss away at Spezia, they have also recorded just a pair of victories from their previous eight appearances across all competitions. With that extended wobble stemming all the way back to April 12th, Pioli’s men have also shown some recent issues in the final third. Drawing back-to-back blanks for the first time since the middle of January, the Rossoneri should also be worried by a nightmare record against their historic rivals. In fact, AC have lost all three of their meetings against Inter since opening 2023 by an aggregate score of 6-0.

Team News

In what looks set to be a massive blow for AC Milan on Tuesday night, Rafael Leao should once again miss out here. Likewise, Pioli’s men will also be without the trio of Race Krunic, Ismael Bennacer and Junior Messias in midweek.

Handed a rest against Spezia over the weekend, attacking talisman Olivier Giroud will be handed a full recall at the San Siro. While 23-year-old Brahim Diaz might have failed to bag a single strike in any of his last nine appearances across all competitions, the one-time Manchester City starlet should join Giroud in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the two Italian giants met for their first-leg meeting last week, Inter Milan claimed a 2-0 victory at the San Siro.
    • Likewise, the Nerazzurri have won each of their three meetings against AC since opening 2023 by an aggregate score of 6-0.
    • Inzaghi’s side have won each of their last seven straight appearances across all competitions – a run that has seen them bag 21 goals.
    • Including their first-leg 2-0 loss last week, AC Milan have managed to win just a pair of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
    • The Rossoneri have drawn a blank in back-to-back appearances for the first time since the middle of January.

    Conclusion

    More than deserving of their 2-0 first-leg victory last week, Inter Milan will simply be looking to finish off the job here. Sat firmly in the driving seat and now winning each of their last seven appearances across all competitions, the Nerazzurri have also gained a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. Along with notching 21 strikes on that seven-match winning run, Inzaghi’s side will also be excited by a rampant record against their historic local rivals. In fact, including last week’s 2-0 win at the San Siro, Inter have won all three of their meetings against AC since opening 2023 by an aggregate score of 6-0.

    Verdict: Inter Milan win

    Best Odds: 12/11

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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