Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to get their hands on a maiden Champions League crown and complete a history-making treble, Manchester City will meet Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
Manchester City
Starting with Manchester City, crowned FA Cup champions at Wembley last weekend as they clinched a 2-1 victory against local rivals Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s side know that they are just 90 minutes away from making major history. Eventually defending their Premier League title last month and already getting their hands on two pieces of silverware, the Sky Blues are now looking to become the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions. Although the former Barcelona boss might have seen his superstar squad sign off the 2022/23 campaign with a 1-0 defeat away at Brentford, that is remarkably the only defeat that Guardiola’s camp have suffered from their previous 27 appearances across all competitions. With that rampant run of form stemming all the way back to February 5th, it is no secret that the Premier League giants are tipped as a standout contender to lift a maiden European trophy on Saturday night.
Team News
Although Manchester City might be sweating over the fitness of England international Kyle Walker this weekend, the ex-Tottenham defender is expected to feature on Saturday night. Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson will return between the sticks in Istanbul.
Bagging 12 goals in just his 10 Champions League appearances this season and breezing towards Europe’s Golden Boot, Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s attack here. Likewise, only continuing to shine since returning from the World Cup’s winter break, Jack Grealish will once again partner the Norwegian record-breaker in the final third.
Inter Milan
As for Inter Milan, although the Italian heavyweights might have failed to mount a genuine Serie A title charge this season, Simone Inzaghi’s men are in the midst of what has become a remarkable flurry. Punching their Champions League final ticket last month as they stormed to a routine 3-0 romp against bitter local rivals AC Milan, the Nerazzurri have remarkably won 11 of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to a 3-3 draw against Benfica on April 19th. Cruising their way to another top-four finish in Serie A this season, the former Lazio boss finds the mood in is camp at a red-hot high. Likewise, lifting this year’s Coppa Italia on May 24th as they landed a famous 2-1, Inter have certainly impressed with their free-scoring displays in the final third. Although Inzaghi’s side might travel out to Istanbul as a real underdog contender, the Italian giants have proven that they are far from a pushover.
Team News
Despite picking up a thigh injury during Inter’s second-leg showdown against AC last month, one-time Manchester United winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to feature on Saturday night. Likewise, the Italian giants have suggested that Joaquin Correa will be given the green light to play some part.
Bagging a second-leg strike against AC on May 16th and now notching 11 strikes in his previous 13 appearances across all competitions, Lautaro Martinez will be joined in the final third by ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
Key Factors to Consider
- Lifting this year’s FA Cup at Wembley last weekend thanks to a 2-1 victory against Manchester United, Guardiola’s men have lost just one of their last 27 straight appearances across all formats.
- Along with looking to lift a maiden European trophy on Saturday night, Manchester City can become the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions.
- Punching their Champions League final ticket thanks to a 3-0 aggregate romp against AC Milan, the Nerazzurri have won 11 of their last 12 appearances across all competitions.
- Erling Haaland has notched 12 strikes in just his 10 Champions League appearances this season.
- Inter Milan have suffered just a single defeat away from the San Siro since a 2-1 defeat against Spezia on March 10th.
Conclusion
Although Inter Milan might travel out to Istanbul enjoying what has been an extended purple patch, the Nerazzurri will be more than aware that they face a heavyweight challenge on Saturday night. Watching Manchester City move one giant step closer to being crowned treble champions as they lifted the FA Cup at Wembley last weekend, Guardiola’s side are just 90 minutes away from immortality. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous 27 straight appearances across all competitions, the Premier League heavyweights are desperate to get their hands on a maiden Champions League crown here. While Inter have proven over recent months that they are a tough test for any of Europe’s elite, we are backing the Sky Blues to complete their date with destiny in Istanbul.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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