Prediction: Barcelona vs Inter Milan

Verdict: Both teams to score 

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Barcelona will welcome Inter Milan to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, left hugely frustrated away at the San Siro last week as they were hit with a controversial 1-0 loss on foreign soil, Barcelona know that they face a must-win showdown on Wednesday night. While Xavi’s superstars might have continued to impress since opening the 2022/23 campaign, the former Spanish champions have managed to muster just a single victory from their opening three Group C battles. Currently sat third in the table and fearing that they could once again miss out on a Champions League knockout stage ticket this season, fans around the Nou Camp will be calling on their side to lay down a marker here. However, despite that 1-0 loss away at Inter Milan last week, the mood in Catalonia should still be at a real high. Last seen over the weekend picking up some momentum as they claimed a 1-0 victory at home against Celta Vigo, Xavi’s side have won three of their previous four matchups across all competitions.

Team News

While summer arrival Robert Lewandowski might have bagged a single strike in his last five appearances for club and country, the former Bayern Munich star will spearhead Xavi’s charge here.

Bagging the winner against Celta Vigo on La Liga duties over the weekend, 19-year-old Pedri should be joined by Gavi and Sergio Busquets in midfield on Wednesday night. However, Xavi’s side will be without the likes of Memphis Depay, Hector Bellerin, Jules Kounde and Franck Kessie in midweek.

Inter Milan

As for the visitors, suffering back-to-back defeats against Udinese and Roma on either side of September’s international break, Inter Milan still have the feel of a side seeking some stability. Nevertheless, managing to cling to that 1-0 victory last week as they welcomed Barca to the San Siro, Simone Inzaghi’s men find themselves tipped in pole position to book their Champions League knockout stage ticket this year. Holding a three-point buffer over Wednesday’s opponents, the Nerazzurri also picked up some momentum while on domestic duties a few days ago. Eventually claiming a 2-1 victory away at Sassuolo, the ex-Lazio boss will now be calling on his side to find some defensive resolve. Including that shock 3-1 loss away at Udinese on September 18th, the Italian icons have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Despite potentially smelling the chance to spring another upset when they travel to Spain in midweek, Inter should face a real test on the road.

Team News

Bagging both goals in Inter’s 2-1 victory away at Sassuolo over the weekend, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko will be hoping to retain his spot on Wednesday night.

While Inzaghi might remain hopeful that attacking talisman Romelu Lukaku could play some part at the Nou Camp, the Belgium international is likely to start on the bench here. Inter have already confirmed that they will be without the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Cordaz, Joaquin Correa and Gabriel Brazao due to injury issues.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two European giants faced off on Group C duties last week, Inter Milan picked up a 1-0 victory at the San Siro.
• That is the only clean sheet that the former Serie A champions have collected from their previous four matchups across all formats.
• Barcelona have won each of their previous four appearances at the Nou Camp by an aggregate score of 13-1.
• Five of Inter’s first six away fixtures this season have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Robert Lewandowski has already scored 12 goals for Barcelona since making the move from Bayern Munich this summer.

Conclusion

While Inter Milan might have claimed that controversial 1-0 victory at the San Siro last week, Wednesday’s guests will know that they face a tough test here. Although Barcelona might have collected just a single Group C win from their opening three attempts, Xavi’s side have continued to impress on home soil since opening the 2022/23 campaign. In fact, bagging 13 goals from just their last four matchups in Catalonia, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable affair here. It should be highlighted, with Inter seeing five of their first six away showdowns this season finish with both teams finding the net, a similar outcome can be found at generous odds on Wednesday.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet