Prediction: Inter Milan vs Liverpool

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

After a two-month break, the time has come for the battles in the Champions League to resume. The round of 16 begins this week, with a number of notable encounters, and one of those is certainly the one between reigning Italian champions Inter Milan and six-time European champions Liverpool.

The first leg will take place on Wednesday at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, more commonly known as San Siro.

Inter Milan

The Nerazzurri had a rather difficult job in the group stage, having been drawn in Group D where they eventually finished second to Real Madrid, ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol and Shakhtar Donetsk. Triumphs against the latter two in rounds four and five were enough to secure the passage onwards, which proved well enough as they were beaten in the final round in Madrid.

Over in the Serie A, Inter have relinquished the top spot to AC Milan for the time being, though they have a game in hand on the city rivals as they strive to retain the Scudetto they won last season.

Simone Inzaghi’s team have already won a trophy this term as well, having beaten Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana, and they’ve booked a place in the Coppa Italia semifinals too.

Inter’s recent form hasn’t been glorious, however. Their last-six run in all competitions starts with a goalless draw away to Atalanta, followed by 3-2 victory over Empoli in the Coppa round of 16. Then came a 2-1 win at home against Venezia, a painful 1-2 defeat to AC Milan in the derby, a 2-0 win over AS Roma in the Coppa quarterfinals, and eventually a 1-1 draw away to Napoli.

Lorenzo Insigne broke the deadlock from the spot in the seventh minute of the match, and Edin Dzeko equalized less than two minutes into the second half.

Team News

Inzaghi won’t be able to call upon forward Joaquin Correa and wing-back Robin Gosens through injury. Midfielder Nicolo Barella is suspended.

Alessandro Bastoni will likely be in the lineup, with his suspension only preventing him from playing in domestic competitions. He’ll be lining up next to Stefan de Vrij and Milan Škriniar at the back. Ivan Perisic and Denzel Dumfries should be tasked with covering the flanks, with Marcelo Brozovic and Hakan Calhanoglu joined by Arturo Vidal in the middle of the park. Edin Dzeko will lead the line upfront with Lautaro Martinez by his side, leaving Alexis Sanchez on the bench.

Liverpool

Having been drawn in the so-called “group of death”, Liverpool enjoyed an extremely successful autumn in the Champions League, winning all six matches and finishing top of Group B, ahead of Atletico Madrid, FC Porto and AC Milan.

Things don’t look as good in the Premier League, where they still haven’t lost every chance of winning the title but it seems highly unlikely. They are second to Manchester City, with a nine-point gap between them, though they do have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s side. With both teams on fine form at the moment, much will depend on their direct meeting at the Etihad in early April.

As for their recent form, Liverpool won all of their last six matches in all competitions. They first beat Brentford at home by 3-0, then they knocked out Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinal by winning 0-2 at the Emirates, beat Crystal Palace away by 1-3, Cardiff City in the FA Cup 4-1 at home, Leicester City 2-0 at home, and Burnley away on Sunday by 0-1. The only goal in that match was the work of Fabinho, who showed his ability to take advantage of a scramble in a tight space and forced the ball into the net from close range.

Team News

Manager Jurgen Klopp rarely has the full squad at his disposal, but that seems to be the case now.

Alisson Becker will be in goal, Virgil van Dijk is certain to command the back line. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also very likely to start on the right defensive flank, as is Andy Robertson on the left. Fabinho should be anchoring the midfield, but the other two spots in that section are up for grabs between Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. There’s nothing that can keep Mohamed Salah out of the attacking line on the right, but Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota should be competing for the central attacking role. The same goes for Mane and Luis Diaz on the left.

Conclusion

Both teams are likely to take a reasonably cautious approach. Liverpool shouldn’t have too many difficulties in controlling the majority of possession, but they won’t find it easy to create chances against Inter’s resolute defending.

The visitors are slight favourites, but there shouldn’t be too many goals.

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet