Prediction: Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid

Verdict: Inter Milan win & Under 5.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two sides who get their respective Champions League knockout stage adventures underway on Tuesday night, Inter Milan will welcome Atletico Madrid to the San Siro.

Inter Milan

Starting with the hosts, while Inter Milan might have suffered Champions League final heartbreak last season as they eventually slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City, the Italian icons are enjoying another stellar run this time around. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they stormed their way to a routine 4-0 victory against Salernitana, Simeone Inzaghi’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Holding a remarkable nine-point buffer at the top of the Serie A table, the former Lazio boss has seen his squad win all of their previous eight straight appearances across all competitions. In fact, Tuesday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 26 straight outings – a run that stems all the way back to September 27th. Receiving plenty of praise for their clinical performances in the final third, Inter Milan will be smelling the chance to pick up a first-leg advantage here.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term Achilles tendon injury and not making a single appearance since the middle of December, Inter Milan will once again be without Colombia international Juan Cuadrado. Likewise, missing out over the weekend after sustaining a calf issue, 36-year-old Francesco Acerbi is seen as a real doubt here.

Once again getting on the scoresheet against Salernitana last time out and already recording 20 Serie A strikes this season, attacking talisman Lautaro Martinez has a leading role to play on Tuesday night. French international Marcus Thuram will once again partner Martinez in the final third.

Atletico Madrid

As for the visitors, managing to make a welcomed return to winning ways over the weekend, Atletico Madrid will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. Eventually breezing their way to a 5-0 romp against Las Palmas, Diego Simeone’s men will be hoping to spring a Champions League upset here. However, sat nine points adrift in the La Liga title chase and already accepting that a trophy charge is off the cards, the Spanish heavyweights have continued to show some extended issues on the road. Last seen on their travels suffering a toothless 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sevilla, Atletico have won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns outside of the Spanish capital – a run that stems all the way back to November 28th. Crashing out of the Super Cup last month following an action-packed 5-3 loss against Real Madrid, Simeone’s side should face a tricky test here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Atletico Madrid will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Lemar and veteran midfielder Vitolo on Tuesday night. Although Alvaro Morata might have missed out against Las Palmas over the weekend, Simeone’s camp are hopeful that the Spanish skipper can play some part here.

Handed a full rest over the weekend, French superstar Antoine Griezmann should be handed a full recall at the San Siro. Enjoying what has been a breakout campaign and continuing to receive plenty of plaudits, 20-year-old Pablo Barrios will once again join Koke and Saul Nihuez at the heart of Simeone’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• Inter Milan have won all of their previous eight straight appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, the Italian giants have lost just one of their last 26 showdowns across all formats – a run that stems back to September 27th.
• Atletico Madrid have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine away fixtures across all competitions.
• Simeone’s men have recorded just one clean sheet away from the Spanish capital since back on October 21st.
• Inter Milan have won all of their last five appearances at the San Siro by an aggregate score of 12-1.

Conclusion

While Atletico Madrid might have made a welcomed return to winning ways over the weekend as they secured a 5-0 romp against Las Palmas, Simeone’s side have continued to show some glaring issues on the road. Mustering just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine showdowns outside the Spanish capital, a high-flying Inter Milan will be looking to pick up a crucial first-leg advantage. Winning all of their last five appearances at the San Siro by an aggregate score of 12-1, Tuesday’s hosts have also suffered just a single defeat across any front since the end of September.

Verdict: Inter Milan win & Under 5.5 goals

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster