Schalke V Inter Milan

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 13 April 2011 – 1(;45 (GMT)
Venue: Veltins-Arena; Gelsenkirchen, Germany
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

During their Round of 16 tie with Bayern Munich, Inter Milan needed some second-leg heroics in order to overhaul a first-leg home deficit. On that occasion, though, they were only trailing by the solitary goal and subsequently went on the clinch the tie 3-3 on aggregate and progress via away goals. As they make the trip to Germany for a second time, they find themselves 5-2 down on aggregate and not merely in urgent need of more heroics in Gelsenkirchen but also several minor miracles along the way if they’re to continue the defence of their crown.

Schalke were magnificent in Milan a week previous, twice coming from behind stun the 2009/2010 winners at San Siro to record a 5-2 win nobody in their right mind saw coming. So, rather unsurprisingly, it’s advantage Schalke heading back to Germany, according to the bookmakers who make the German side around a 1/50 shot to make the cut for the last-four, where they’ll face an English foe in either Chelsea or Manchester United.

Only a four-goal margin of victory will now suffice for the defending champions, who are ridiculously best-priced at 25/1 with Bet365 to defy logic and qualify for the semi-finals. Considering Schalke have won all four home games in this year’s competition, as well as the fact the German side have never even been beaten by Italian opposition at home in Europe, I wouldn’t exactly call those odds on Inter value, would you?

Nevertheless, this should be a thoroughly entertaining contest as Inter go in search of goals while Schalke look to protect their commanding lead.

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Schalke

To win 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League – 17.00 (16/1) Bet365 (bet 365)

I had a sneaky suspicion that they might fare well over in Milan, tipping the German side to ground out a creditable draw against an Inter side who undoubtedly have their fair share of flaws. But even I was a million miles away from locating the real value, with Schalke running out 5-2 victors in Italy a little over a week ago and are now in pole position to book their first ever semi-final appearance in the Champions League.

Apart from the fact they were magnificent in Milan, they were also incredibly resilient and shown a tremendous amount of character. The victory was outstanding but made even more impressive by the fact they came from behind on two separate occasions. In the end, they ran out comfortable winners courtesy of goals from Josel Matip, Raul, who else, an Andrea Ranocchia own goal and an Edu brace.

Even their inexperience at this depth of the competition shouldn’t compromise their progression, with Schalke having failed at this very hurdle, the quarter-final, on two previous occasions and have never made the semi’s. They’ll be nervous, no doubt about that, but their margin for error is so great that even an emphatic defeat would probably still see them through, especially if they were to maintain a trend of having scored exactly 3 goals in each of their previous 3 home games in Europe, doing so more recently, and impressively, against Valencia in the Round of 16.

As if confidence in camp was already sky-high, Schalke maintained their winning form – winning their last three games on the spin in all competitions – and momentum with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home to struggling Wolfsburg at the weekend. The only slight drawback was that Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick couldn’t afford the luxury of resting his stars players, what with The Royal Blues having an indifferent season in the German Bundesliga, where they reside in a far from flattering 9th, eleven-points off the relegation places but a staggering 27 adrift of leaders Dortmund.

Inter Milan

To win 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League – 150/1 VictorChandler

The 2009/2010 winners are on the ropes for the second knockout round running and if they are to successfully defend their crown, they’ll have to do so the hardest way imaginable. A 5-2 home reverse means Leonardo’s men now require a four-goal margin of victory over in Germany in order make amends for their atrocious performance in the opening leg, as well as pencil in a last-four date with either Chelsea of Manchester United – an unthinkable scenario though at the present time.

Few would undermine the work Leonardo has done in transforming the Nerrazzuri and revitalising the club’s prospects of ending the season with silverware since Rafael Benitez’s high-profile departure at the end of last year, however the Brazilian has struggled to replicate the consistency shown in Serie A – the former AC Milan manager having masterminded a Scudetto revival which has seen Inter win 12 of the 16 league games that he’s taken charge of since joining the club at the beginning of January– in Europe, with Inter’s hopes of becoming the first club in the Champions League era to successfully defend their crown now looking slim at best.

Leonardo now needs his big-game players to deliver on Wednesday night, with the Brazilian seeking some inspiration from two players in particular: playmaker Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto, two of the goalscorers at the Allianz Arena in the previous round as Inter somehow overcame a 1-0 first-leg home defeat to record a 3-2 win in Germany over the most successful club in German history, Bayern Munich.

Their task second time around is a far leaner one, facing a mammoth uphill climb as they trail this particular tie 5-2, although, Schalke are nowhere near as revered in Germany as the Bavarians are, so the Nerrazzuri are at least dealing with an ‘easier’ outfit on paper, but one which boasts an imperious record in Gelsenkircehn in Europe this season and one which they couldn’t tame at home a week previous, when shipping five away goals.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Inter Milan to WIN – 2.63 Boylesports

For Schalke, Jefferson Farfan will miss out through suspension while the same applies for Inter’s temperamental full-back Christian Chivu, who was dismissed in the first-leg for two bookable offences.

The above absences shouldn’t be too costly for either side, though Schalke will certainly miss the width and pace out wide that Farfan brings to the table. Even so, at home, where they have been particularly impressive in Europe this season, they should hang onto their commanding aggregate lead.

The Italians, though, will be throwing the kitchen sink at Schalke, so we could be in for another high-scoring contest. The Nerrazzuri aren’t exactly what I would call formidable in an attacking sense, though they still boast several nifty individuals (Samuel Eto, Wesley Sneijder; Dejan Stankovic and Esteban Cambiasso can be useful when push comes to shove). Four goals, which is the minimum they require in Germany, is beyond them in my opinion, especially as they need a clean sheet at the other end which, what with Schalke having won all four matches in Gelsenkirchen previously, scoring exactly three goals in each of their last three, would appear unlikely.

As far as the match goes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Inter come out on top. Schalke know full well that they have a comfortable lead, which they can sit on for large periods of the game. But if their plan is solely to defend then it could be dangerous, especially in the scenario where Inter go 2-0 up, as then the nerves really will begin to creep into their system. However, I still reckon four-goals is beyond Leonardo’s men, but I’m not entirely convinced Schalke will be doing their utmost to score that one solitary goal which would all but kill the tie stone-dead. Inter Milan it is, then.

Value Bet: Inter Milan to be WINNING at Half-Time – 3.30 StanJames

I could be wrong but I believe Schalke will begin proceedings in a conservative manner, whereas Inter should start as they mean to go in, which is to attack at every possible opportunity in a bid to kick-start their unlikely recovery. If this is the case then Inter are value to take a lead into the half-time break. There’s also a whiff of value in Schalke to respond in the second-half should the Italians steal a march on them with victory in the opening period, with Inter/Draw (15.00 SkyBet) and Inter/Schalke (29.00 SportingBet) both tasty!

Match Odds:

Schalke – 2.80 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.60 SkyBet
Inter Milan – 2.63 Boylesports

Inter Milan V Schalke

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 5 April 2011 – 19:45 (GMT)
Venue: San Siro
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD4

Against all the odds, the defending champions are still standing, and in the hunt to become the first club ever to successfully defend their European crown in UEFA Champions League history. In order to take another significant stride towards rewriting history, the Nerrazzuri, now managed by Leonardo, will need to ensure Schalke don’t embark on their first semi-final appearance in the competition by eliminating a second successive German adversary in the Last-8.

Inter became only the second team in the competition’s history to overcome a first-leg home defeat in the Round of 16, when defeating Bayern Munich on away goals – 3-3 on aggregate. Schalke, meanwhile, surprised many in knocking out Valencia in the last round with a 4-2 aggregate victory, and although few are anticipating that it will be the Germans who progress into the next round of knock-outs, it would be foolish to rule out this underdog.

The first-leg could be key to the whole tie, as a commanding performance from Inter on home soil would make qualifying a tough ask for the Germans, who have won only one of their five away contests in Europe on Italian soil. Inter, though, were beaten 1-0 at the San Siro in the previous round by Bayern Munich in a result which ended the Nerrazzuri’s fine run of form in Milan, having previously won seven Champions League games on the spin in Italy.

Unsurprisingly, Inter Milan are the overwhelming favourites to progress into the semi’s, but German teams are renowned for their organisation, so perhaps Schalke can squeeze an encouraging result out of the first-leg in Italy before completing the task back at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Match odds:

Inter Milan – 1.57 PaddyPower
Draw – 4.00 SkyBet
Schalke – 7.50 BetFred

To Qualify odds:

Inter Milan – 1.33 Bet365
Schalke – 3.60 Totesport

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Inter Milan

To WIN 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League - 9.50 bWin

Just 72 hours after they were spanked in the Milan derby, Inter Milan will continue their quest to become European champions for a second successive campaign when they host Schalke of Germany in their Quarter-Final First-Leg encounter on Tuesday.

Inter, who, remember, are now under the management of Leonardo and not former coach Rafael Benitez, were comprehensively beaten by their arch neighbours at the weekend, AC Milan, and, in the process, saw their surge for the title suffer a sizeable blow. The Nerrazzurri are now five-points adrift of AC in the race for the Scudetto (Serie A title), and there are now serious question marks over the mental state of Leonardo’s dressing room.

Fear not, as this outfit have been known to overcome adversity, as they did during their Round of 16 clash with Bayern Munich, where Leonardo inspired his team to a stunning 3-2 triumph at the Allianz Arena. The fact they had to climb so many awkward mountains was a little disconcerting however, like, for instance, losing the the opening leg 1-0 at the San Siro, something they’ll be keen to avoid on Tuesday against another German visitor.

Before their surprise home reverse to the Bavarians in the previous round of knock-outs, Inter had won seven successive Champions League games inside the San Siro. They had also won all three of their Group A encounters in Milan, scoring nine goals as well. But it hasn’t been a fluent campaign from the Italian champions, who have already fallen to three defeats but are somehow still standing.

Inter Milan are by no means untouchable, however they are the champions and they produced a champions’ response in the previous round to overcome a hungry Bayern Munich; a result which emphasised just how determined the Nerrazzuri are the mirror their exploits of last season and become the very first club in UEFA Champions League history to clinch back-to-back titles.

Schalke

To WIN 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League - 67.00 VictorChandler

While The Royal Blues do boast the services of several experienced campaigners, the club itself are clearly out of their depth and will enter uncharted territory should they triumph over two legs and reach their very first UEFA Champions League Semi-Final.

In order to write a new chapter in the club’s history, Schalke will need to overcome the defending Italian and European champions in Leonardo’s Inter Milan. They will take plenty of heart from Bayern’s 1-0 victory in Milan, who are a fierce competitor of Schalke in the German Bundesliga, but that result in itself could actually prove counterproductive when you consider that Louis Van Gaal’s men, who are the current German title-holders, couldn’t progress even though they secured a first-leg victory over in Milan.

So, in theory anyway, Schalke require a margin of victory at the San Siro of two or greater in order to put the Nerrazzuri to bed. In reality, though, that is unlikely considering how formidable the Italians tend to be on their own patch, not to mention their own miserable record on Italian soil, which reads one win and four defeats in five visits. Although, encouragingly, they did ground out a creditable 1-1 draw at the Mestalla with Valencia in their Round of 16 tie.

There is definitely quality there; Manuel Neuer is one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe while few are more precise in the art of finishing than former Real Madrid ace Raul, who has scored more goals in UEFA competition than any other player. However, several will need to raise their game on Tuesday if Schalke are to compete with a superior Inter Milan. Schalke, though, haven’t lost an away match in Europe since going down 1-0 to Lyon in Group B on Match Day 1, though they have lost three of their last four back home in the Bundesliga.

Bit of an enigma really, Schalke. Dangerous nevertheless, and certainly no forlorn hope.

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Betting

Match Prediction: Draw – 4.00 SkyBet

If you can somehow look past their 1-0 reverse at home to Bayern Munich in the last round then Inter Milan, who had previously won seven consecutive matches at home in the competition, should be everyone’s most likely winner. However, their European adventure has contained a great deal more lows than highs, with this Nerrazzuri outfit certainly no smooth operator when it comes to the Champions League this season.

Schalke have surprised many in making it this far although their Round of 16 tie was more favourable than most. Nevertheless, they merit a great deal of respect, none more so than for going their last three away games in Europe without losing – drawing 1-1 in Valencia in their first knock-out encounter – and with several talented individuals combining nicely with some experienced pros, they’ll pose a threat to Inter’s title defence over two legs.

The aim from a Schalke perspective will be to restrict Inter’s success in front of goal to an absolute minimum, and that will take some doing up against the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto, who both starred in Inter’s winning campaign last term and have been just as impressive second time around.

The Germans, though, don’t tend to concede too many goals, mainly because they boast one of the outstanding keepers in Europe at the present time in Germany’s No.1 Manuel Neuer. If Jurado and Farfan can pull the strings in midfield, and UEFA’s all-time leading scorer Raul puts in a clinical shift, then whose to say they can repeat the exploits of Bayern, who went to San Siro and left with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph?

I don’t believe there’s much value, if any, in Inter’s price quote and, instead, would rather take my chances on the visitors grounding out a result. A draw, especially a scoring one, would be a fantastic result for The Royal Blues.

Value Bet: 1-1 Draw (Correct Score) – 8.50 SkyBet

Schalke will set themselves to contain their hosts, and German sides can be extremely well organised and well disciplined when they put their minds to it. Inter have hardly been a reliable sort this season, so putting a few gold coins on this contest in Milan ending in a low-scoring draw may pay dividends.

Bayern Munich V Inter Milan

Date & kick-off: Tuesday, 15th March – 19:45 (GMT)
Venue: Allianz Arena
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD4

If the return leg is half-as-entertaining as the first, we’re in for a real cracker in Munich. There were chances a plenty, some quality football on show, as well as the odd world-class individual here and there, with the only genuine disappointment being the distinct lack of goals.

Mario Gomez’s 90th minute winner at the San Siro a fortnight ago may well prove decisive, with Bayern stealing a march on the Nerrazzuri with a 1-0 triumph in Milan, as last season’s finalists lock horns at the Allianz Arena for the concluding second leg of their Last-16 tie.

So, it all sounds fairly simple for Bayern from here on out, as all the Bavarians have to do now is avoid defeat on their own patch.

The fact Louis Van Gaal’s side have won each of their previous seven UEFA Champions League matches in Munich, inside a quite stunning Allianz Arena – also, Bayern winning on all 20 occasions where they have won the first-leg away from home – stands them in extremely good stead as they bid to avenge their 2-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu in last term’s showpiece.

Bayern Munich

- Bayern have never been eliminated from Europe when winning the first-leg away from home, qualifying from similarly commanding positions as they are in now on no less than twenty previous occasions.

- A win or a draw would carry Bayern Munich through to the quarter-finals, so it bodes well that they are currently on a seven-match winning streak in the Champions League when playing at the Allianz Arena.

- Mario Gomez is Bayern’s leading goalscorer this season with 28 goals in all competitions, seven of which came in the Champions League although only one was scored in Munich.

- Louis Van Gaal is still shorn of the hard-working Ivica Olic up front, but other than that the Bayern manager has a fully fit squad to pick from.

While it’s clear that Bayern do hold the upper hand, complacency, or even arrogance, can have a detrimental affect and this is why manager Louis Van Gaal has been keen to stress the importance of maintaining the standard which saw the Bavarians tear shreds out of Hamburg at the weekend.

A 6-0 rout of fellow German Bundesliga side Hamburg, who are a very accomplished team, was the ideal warm-up for Bayern. Not only did it stop the rot, with Van Gaal’s men previously losing two league games on the spin, but it also boosted the confidence levels of several key figures considerably. Arjen Robben bagged a hat-trick while there were also goals for Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller as ‘Die Roten’ recorded their biggest victory of the season just days before their make or break clash with the Nerrazzuri in Munich.

The club are all set to relinquish their Bundesliga crown with a whimper while the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) will also pass them by, so the importance of Tuesday’s match shouldn’t be underestimated as the Champions League is Bayern’s last shot at silverware this season. It is now down to the players to show just how hungry and determined they are to finish an otherwise dismal campaign, one which will end on a sour note anyway with Louis Van Gaal leaving, on a massive high by clinching their fifth European title.

To win 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League - 15.00 Boylesports
To Qualify for the Quarter-Finals - 1.22 WilliamHill

Inter Milan

- Only one club in UEFA Champions League history, Ajax, have successfully overturned a first-leg home defeat to clinch the tie; a feat Inter must acheive on Tuesday if they’re to prolong the defence of their European crown.

- The Nerrazzuri have failed to win on any of their previous four visits to Germany, while the team didn’t win any of their away matches in Group A when Rafael Benitez was at the helm: FC Twente (Draw 2-2), Tottenham Hotspur (Lost 3-1) & Werder Bremen (Lost 3-0).

- Samuel Eto has notched up 30 goals this season and is comfortably Inter’s leading scorer for the term, while seven of those strikes came in this very competition although only two of which were away from home.

- Inter coach Leonardo is without Walter Samuel and Diego Milito, while Esteban Cambiasso is rated as doubtful although Lucio may recover in time from a buttock injury.

A very late concession at home two weeks ago means Inter’s defence of their 2009/2010 title is hanging by a thread, however Nerrazzuri coach Leonardo believes the tie is far from over and that his players don’t just have the ability to overturn the disconcerting deficit but also the desire and passion of a club desperate not to relinquish the title they worked tirelessly to get their hands on last season.

If they are to successfully defend their crown then they’ll have to do it the hard way from this moment onwards, as their late concession at home two weeks ago means Inter now require an historic victory in Germany. Not only has just one solitary club in Champions League history defied a first-leg defeat at home to go on and clinch the tie, Bayern Munich have never bowed out of Europe after winning the away leg first up. So it’s a daunting prospect for the Nerrazzuri, although one the are looking forward to according to their manager.

Unlike their Last-16 rivals, Inter’s preparations haven’t gone to plan, that despite playing their weekend fixture in Serie A 24 hours earlier than the German side. Leonardo saw his side drop two potentially costly points away at Brescia in a match they were leading up till the 85th minute, with the result also putting the brakes on their four-match winning run in Serie A, so a real momentum-buster.

Inter have also had their fair share of problems on the road this season as well, losing five in Serie A, all to top-quality opposition, while they drew one and lost two of their Group A encounters with FC Twente, Tottenham Hotspur and Werder Bremen.

To win 2010/2011 UEFA Champions League - 45.00 Unibet
To Qualify for the Quarter-Finals - 4.50 BetFred

Match Prediction: Bayern Munich to WIN -1.95 PaddyPower

Two top-quality sides clash at the Allianz Arena but it’s Bayern Munich the punters can get enough of. The Bavarians are incredibly consistent in their own backyard and will take some beating on Tuesday night, whereas Inter have been a source of frustration for the most part on their travels this season and are still awaiting their first away win in Europe.

Both sides created a hat-ful of chances in the opening leg at the San Siro, however, the glorious ones invariably fell at Bayern’s doorstep. Only one was dispatched on that occasion, but it should be a different story in Munich when Louis Van Gaal’s men return to the scene of the crime, where they hammered Hamburg 6-0 at the weekend and are threatening to do the same to the defending champions if Inter turn up and are as woeful as they’ve been throughout the competition away from home.

With the likes of Samuel Eto and Wesley Sneijder in their ranks, you cannot completely rule Inter Milan out. But Bayern Munich are in such a commanding position that I simply do not see them throwing the tie away, not at a venue where they have won their previous seven Champions League encounters and where they were unstoppable at the weekend. If Bayern create opportunities similar to that of which they created over in Italy two weeks ago, we fear it could be a comprehensive win for the Germans.

Value Bet: Bayern Munich to Score 3 or More Goals – 3.60 PaddyPower

Match Odds:

Bayern Munich – 1.95 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.75 Bet365
Inter Milan – 4.20 SkyBet

Inter Milan V Bayern Munich

Date & kick-off: Wednesday, 23rd February – 19:45 (GMT)
Competition: UEFA Champions League; Last-16 First Leg
Venue: San Siro
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

The last meeting between the two clubs was hardly a thriller, but it was a gripping affair nonetheless, mainly because of what was at stake on that occasion. Wednesday’s Last-16 First Leg promises to be just as riveting as Bayern Munich and Inter Milan lock horns for the fourth time in Champions League history aiming to put their indifferent league campaigns to one side and concentrate on another titanic European battle with one another.

Of course, this is a repeat of last season’s final where Inter Milan comfortably beat a toothless Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. Diego Milito was the hero that night, the Argentinian scoring both goals as Inter ended their 45-year wait for Europe’s elite prize, completing an historic treble in the process as well. But so much has changed since then, and you could even argue that Inter have gone backwards in their progression whereas Bayern, especially of late, have made some giant strides towards restoring their once formidable aurora.

So why are these two clashing at such an early stage in proceedings? Inter’s unconvincing route to the knock-outs, that’s why. The Italians, who were then under the management of former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, finished second in Group A as opposed to a Bayern side who stormed through their group with five victories and one defeat. However, interestingly, that solitary reverse just so happens to have been in Italy against one of Inter’s arch-rivals AS Roma, and that defeat may well have left a little seed of doubt in the minds of the Bayern Munich players.

With regards to recent form, it promises to be a thrilling encounter, with goals-a-plenty. Bayern have been been banging them in left, right and centre now that Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are both back in the fray following injuries and off-pitch fiascos respectively. Meanwhile Inter, who are now under Leonardo’s attack-minded management, have also been in free-scoring form of late, especially at home.

It’s the strikers at the forefront of both attacks which could take centre stage then on Wednesday, with Samuel Eto the competition’s top-scorer at present with 7 goals, but his opposite number, Mario Gomez, is only one behind one 6. Between them both, 54 goals have been scored in all competitions, with nothing between them with 27-goals-apiece.

Well aware that the Bavarians have secured victory in seven of their previous eight home European matches, Inter know they must make full use of home advantage of Wednesday night, where they’ve won their last seven and not lost any of their previous ten in Europe. Something has to give you feel.

Match Odds (To Win First Leg):

Inter Milan – 2.38 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.40 WilliamHill
Bayern Munich – 3.40 Bet365

To Qualify:

Bayern Munich – 1.83 PaddyPower
Inter Milan – 2.10 VictorChandler

Inter Milan

Comprehensive 2-0 winners when the two teams met in Madrid last May, Inter’s passage through to the Last-16 was anything but as they overcome several morale-crushing defeats en route to qualification, although had to settle for second in the end behind Tottenham Hotspur. Their unconvincing campaign in Europe thus far will be forgotten, though, should they successfully defend their crown, but the Nerazzurri don’t have many friends in the betting rings and are even considered the underdogs in this very tie.

Considering all that has gone on off-the-pitch this season, with Rafael Benitez sacked following a disastrous league campaign and disconcerting results in Europe, where they were beaten emphatically by both Tottenham Hotspur and Werder Bremen, and Leonardo making all the headlines in Milan by becoming the new boss of the Nerazzurri barely six months after he was shown the door at AC Milan, it’s of little surprise that few rate their chances of defending their title they won for the very first time in 45-years last term.

On the plus side, the arrival of Leonardo has sparked Inter into life. Previously suffocated by the tactical nous of Rafael Benitez, the Nerazzurri now play with an element of freedom and, more importantly, with smiles on their faces, something they weren’t doing under the Brazilian’s predecessor. As a result, Inter look a completely different team, especially from an attacking perspective. Of course, it does help that Wesley Sneijder is back to something like his best, the Dutch ace spending much of the first half of the season out of form or on the sidelines with various injuries. But just in general, there’s more fluidity about their play; chances are being created with consummate ease while goals are flying in all over the place.

The blue half of Milan is finally a better place to be around, not least because they are back in the hunt for the Scudetto (Italian league title). Inter are back competing again and fans are well aware of this. It’ll be atmospheric inside the San Siro on Wednesday, you can rest assured on that, and it’s down to the players to ensure the fans maintain their noise right to the final whistle.

Samuel Eto scored seven times during the group stage, the Cameroon international now the competition’s leading scorer, and if he can begin where he left off, which is building on those he already has in the competition but also the 20 he has elsewhere in other competitions for the season, then the Inter stand every chance of sending their supporters home happy.

Bayern Munich

Defeat in Madrid back in May was a bitter pill to swallow for Louis Van Gaal and his Bayern Munich charges, but they haven’t had to wait long for a shot at redemption and on Wednesday in Milan the Bavarians will be eager to atone for their toothless display in last season’s showpiece by building on their superb run of form and making Leonardo’s debut as Nerazzurri manager one to forget.

Although they did secure an impressive league and cup double last season, their failure to complete what would have been an historic treble by clinching the Champions League did tarnish what was still an unbelievable campaign from the Bavarians. But they are well-placed to exact some revenge on the side which inflicted that heartbreaking final defeat upon them, with Louis Van Gaal having masterminded ten victories in Bayern’s last twelves games in all competitions, a run which is already impressive but becomes formidable with the sheer amount of goals they scored – 43 goals in their last 12 games at an average of nearly 4 goals-per-game.

Bayern’s prolific form has coincided with the return of Dutch international Arjen Robben, a player who really does add another dimension. The skillful winger has 5 goals in just 6 appearances since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, helping to compliment what was already a team in a rich vein of form. Thomas Muller is beginning to replicate the form he displayed at last summer’s World Cup finals, Franck Ribery has his mind back in the game while Mario Gomez has been lethal in front of goal, the German slowly but surely giving the club value for money after joining the club in a £30million+ deal back in 2009. Gomez scored 6 times en route to Bayern topping Group E and has a staggering 27 goals for the season.

After Louis Van Gaal had a public dig at Inter Milan’s defensive reputation, we think it’s safe to presume that Bayern will head to Milan with one though in mind, to attack. It’s what they do best and when they do click, they can be unstoppable as they almost are at the present, suffering just one defeat in their last twelve competition matches.

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Group Stage Summary

Inter Milan

Even though they were drawn in a tricky group which contained FC Twente, Tottenham Hotspur and Werder Bremen, the vast majority still expected the Nerazzurri to cruise through to the knock-out stages. After collecting seven points from their first three games, that appeared the case, but they came unstuck near the end, losing two of the final three matches and also finished proceedings with an humiliating 3-0 defeat away in Germany to Werder Bremen, the Germans collecting the wooden spoon for finishing bottom of the group. The performances of Samuel Eto did, however, catch the eye with the Cameroon striker leading the way in the scoring charts with 7 goals. 

Group A

Position: 2nd
Win-Draw-Lose: 3-1-2 (Home: 3-0-0)
Goal Difference: 12-11 (Home: 9-3)
Top Scorer: Samuel Eto (7)

Results:

Match Day 1: FC Twente 2-2 Inter Milan
Match Day 2: Inter Milan 4-0 Werder Bremen
Match Day 3: Inter Milan 4-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Match Day 4: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Inter Milan
Match Day 5: Inter Milan 1-0 FC Twente
Match Day 6: Werder Bremen 3-0 Inter Milan

Bayern Munich

The Bavarians were mightily impressive en route to topping Group E above AS Roma, who inflicted the only defeat upon last season’s German champions as Bayern blew the rest of the pack away. Mario Gomez chipped in with 6 goals, Bayern in free-scoring form throughout racking up 16 goals in total as they comfortably qualified for the knock-outs with two games to spare even though their manager, Louis Van Gaal, couldn’t even name a seven substitutes in some matches due to so many injuries. So impressive stuff from Bayern Munich.

Group E

Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 5-0-1 (Away: 2-0-1)
Goal Difference: 16-6 (Away: 8-4)
Top Scorer: Mario Gomez (6)

Results:

Match Day 1: Bayern Munich 2-0 AS Roma
Match Day 2: FC Basel 1-2 Bayern Munich
Match Day 3: Bayern Munich 3-2 CFR Cluj
Match Day 4: CFR Cluj 0-4 Bayern Munich
Match Day 5: AS Roma 3-2 Bayern Munich
Match Day 6: Bayern Munich 3-0 FC Basel

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Pointers

Inter Milan

- The Nerazzurri won all three of their group games at home, to an aggregate score of 9-3.
- Inter haven’t lost a European match inside the San Siro since November 2008, going ten home games without defeat in Europe, winning the last seven in a run which includes victories over Barcelona and Chelsea.
- Are searching for their tenth consecutive home win in all competitions on Wednesday, losing just 2 of their previous 50 matches at home.
- Seven of Inter’s previous eight games at home have finished with at least 3 goals, with 40 goals scored in the same period of games (An average of just over 4 goals per game).
- Samuel Eto top-scored with 7 goals during the group phase, 5 of those coming at the San Siro.

Bayern Munich

- Lost just one of their last twelve games in all competitions; 10 wins, 1 draw & 1 loss.
- Beaten just once in their previous eight away matches in all competitions.
- The Bavarians have notched up 4 goals or more on six occasions away from home this season, with one of those coming in the group stage away in Romania against CFR Cluj (0-4).
- Bayern have kept just one clean sheet in their previous eight away games in Europe.
- Five of Mario Gomez’s 6 goals during the group phase were scored away from Munich.

Head-to-Head

- These two clubs have met on three occasions in the Champions League, with there nothing between them with one win apiece and one draw.
- However, Bayern have won the only previous encounter in Italy, winning 2-0 during the 2006/2007 campaign.
- Inter Milan won the most recent encounter, though, and also the most famous, Diego Milito scoring twice during the 2009/2010 Champions League final in which Inter were 2-0 victors.

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Match Prediction: Draw – 3.30 VictorChandler

I do really like the look of the visitors, a Bayern side with the potential to score any number of goals, with a manager who has promised to attack the Nerazzurri at the San Siro. However, Inter Milan’s record at home, whether it be domestically or in Europe, merits a great deal of respect, so we’re faced with a conumdrum.

Inter are unbeaten in their previous ten matches on home soil in the Champions League, but that imperious run will come under threat on Wednesday night as the free-scoring German champions come to town. Saying that, Inter have also been in a rich vein of form in front of goal, so it promises to be a thoroughly entertaining affair between two sides with a taste for goals.

The creative armoury of Bayern is a daunting prospect for the Inter defence, with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery bang-in-form and will cause the Milan full-backs all sorts of problems. And then we have Mario Gomez, Bayern’s leading goalscorer this season with 27 goals in all competitions, and if he’s a busy sort on Wednesday, then Inter have a serious problem as the German international doesn’t miss many. But Inter do have their own prolific forward, Samuel Eto having notched up the same amount of goals as Gomez and will be just as dangerous in front of goal, especially now that Inter are creating chances with far more consistency.

I’m afraid I will sit on the fence a little with this one, even though a draw is actually a fantastic shout. There isn’t a great deal between the two and that should tell in the final outcome. Should be a riveting affair nonetheless.

Match Odds:

Inter Milan – 2.30 SportingBet
Draw – 3.30 VictorChandler
Bayern Munich – 3.40 Bet365

Tottenham Hotspur V Inter Milan

Tuesday, 2nd November – 19:45 (GMT)
Venue: White Hart Lane
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

Tottenham Hotspur

Group A Position: 2nd
Group A Form: DWL

Whereas their Group A Match Day 4 rivals will reserve their spot in the knock-outs with victory at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night, Tottenham Hotspur are merely aiming to cement their stance in the group as favourites to clinch second spot. Four points from three outings in the group so far have resulted in Tottenham assuming full control of second place, one of the routes through to those elusive knock-outs, but defeat last time out in Italy to the group leaders Inter Milan provided a kindly reminder, following their 4-3 defeat at the San Siro, that there is still a lot of work to be done if Harry Redknapp and Spurs are to be celebrating progression come the final set of Group fixtures.

It really was a tale of two halves two weeks ago, where Tottenham were once again slow out of the traps in their travels, as they were infamously during qualifying for the group stage when going 3-0 down in Switzerland to Young Boys after just 30 minutes, starring down the barrel of an emphatic defeat at half-time when 4-0 down and a man down. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was dismissed with barely ten minutes on the clock, leaving the rest of his team in the lurch and also handing himself a one-match suspension which he will serve on Tuesday night. Carl Cudicini will deputise, although he will face nothing unfamiliar or new as this same Inter side slammed three past him a fortnight ago, not that he could do an awful lot about any of the goals as Spurs’ defence once again aired its dirty laundry in public, with their defensive frailties there for all to see.

Harry Redknapp adopted a 4-5-1 formation out in Italy, something which didn’t go well but is nevertheless likely to be the formation in which Tottenham begin proceedings on Tuesday. Redknapp will want to give his weakened and vulnerable defence as much cover as possible with Michael Dawson and Ledley King, two definite starters if in peak physical condition, still out with long-term injury problems. William Gallas limped off at the weekend and has now added to Redknapp’s defensive headache, while Cameroon centre-half Bassong is still very much an inconsistent sort and most definitely cannot be relied upon against an opponent boasting so much creative flair and technical ability as Inter Milan.

Concerned? We certainly are. But Spurs’ saviour will come in the form of a Dutch wizard similar to that of Inter’s Wesley Senijder, favourite to win the Ballon D’Or, in Rafael Van Der Vaart. The Holland international has been Tottenham’s shining light this season, an absolute bargain at the price Harry Redknapp paid, and considering VDV is accompanied by arguably the country’s two most dangerous forward outlets in Gareth Bale, whom Inter will know far too much about following his stunning second half hat-trick at the San Siro which almost turned a seemingly impossible scenario into reality, and Aaron Lennon. All three will need to put in a barnstorming shift if Spurs are to challenge Group A supremacists Inter Milan for a share of the spoils.

Elsewhere, the concerns are growing about the lack of goals being scored by the club’s forwards with fans having seen just one of their 11 league goals scored by a striker this season (Roman Pavlyuchenko). However, the Champions League has so far proven a doddle to Spurs in terms of finding the back of net having racked up nine goals in their opening three Group A encounters, and that doesn’t include the seven they scored in qualifying. It has been no secret whatsoever that the Tottenham players have kept one eye on upcoming European ties this season, with the excitement of playing in the greatest club competition on the planet just unbearable for some, and it’s Tottenham’s raw hunger, passion and sheer excitement at playing in this very competition which makes them a huge threat to any opponent they face this season in Europe.

Inter Milan

Group A Position: 1st
Group A Form: DWW

Reigning European champions Inter have so far made haste of a seemingly tricky Group A and now find themselves in the healthy position of requiring just one more victory from their remaining three group encounters to be assured of a last-16 berth. Victory back in Italy inside an atmospheric San Siro over Tottenham a fortnight ago helped set them up for a quick progression, and so far have defended their title in admirable fashion although unquestionably face their toughest assignment yet in the English capital against a Spurs side who have blown every opponent away at White Hart Lane so far this season.

Regardless of who plays for Tottenham and their record in Europe at home this season, Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez will be well aware that he possess one of the most accomplished squads in Europe, inheriting not only last season’s competition winners but also double winners in Italy with Serie A and domestic cup success. It is a team of winners currently at the disposal of the former Liverpool manager, whom doesn’t exactly hold fond memories of recent visits to White Hart Lane where his former side Liverpool were beaten in their last three successive visits under his guidance.

Back in Italy a fortnight ago, Inter Milan blew a lacklustre and slow-starting Tottenham away from the moment the first whistle sounded for kick-off. The intensity was there from the off from Benitez’s men, who didn’t just take an early lead and thus control of the game, they sprinted into a 4-0 lead before the first half had even elapsed and thus wrapped all three points up without something to spare. At least, that’s what Benitez, the Inter Milan players and their fans thought. Perhaps a lack of respect for their opponents or simply 45 minutes of complacency, who knows? Whichever way you look at it, Inter were found wanting in the second period and were so nearly on the wrong end of a shocking result. Three goals were conceded in the second period by Inter, leaving Rafeal Benitez seething on the sidelines after watching his side torn apart on three separate occasions by speedy winger Gareth Bale. Some harsh lessons were no doubt learnt but do they now have a plan to squash the threat of Bale down the left-flank?

Offensively, Inter were incredible back in Italy, at least they were for the opening 45 minutes. Samuel Eto has been in scintillating form all season and now has 15 goals in all competitions this season, six of which have come in this very competition. But Eto isn’t the only danger which lye’s in Nerazzurri colours, far from it, as the likes of Javier Zanetti, scorer of Inter’s first two weeks ago, Wesley Sneijder and Philippe Coutinho, the latter two in particular players with deadly constructive qualities who are capable of taking a part and exploiting vulnerable defences likes Tottenham’s, who are still without a number of influential figures at the back and may well struggle to once again contain and restrict the flow of chances through to the prolific Eto and company.

Rafael Benitez won’t arrive in England without his own injury concerns however, as two hugely poignant figures are set to miss Tuesday’s clash at White Hart Lane through thigh injuries. Esteban Cambiasso, a midfield stalwart and a key cog in Benitez’s plans no doubt to quell the threat of Rafael Van Der Vaart for Spurs, and arguably the world’s best shot-stopper Julio Cesar will both undergo late fitness tests.

Match Prediction: Inter Milan to WIN – 2.80 Boylesports

Considering how open and full-throttle the first encounter was back in Italy, we’re naturally assuming the second part of this enthralling head-to-head battle between undoubtedly the two best teams in the group will be another cracker, with fireworks very much anticipated.

Both parties arrive with their own unique negatives and positives, although Inter’s can easily be addressed. Our only qualm with the Italians was their lack of concentration and application in the second half a fortnight ago, where they allowed Tottenham to get their tails up in a position where Inter should have seen the game out rather comfortably at 4-0 up. That is something which can quite easily be resolved by manager Rafael Benitez, who will be licking his lips at the prospect of masterminding Tottenham’s downfall on their own patch as the Spaniard looks to put his tactical nous and positional wizardry to good use by trying to  exploit Tottenham’s seemingly obvious vulnerable back line once more.

Quite frankly, Tottenham’s defence is just too weak in personnel to handle what Inter Milan have to offer. So, the only way we see Spurs getting anything from a game they can now ill afford to lose is by going for it, gambling a little with their formation and tactics, and instead of attempting to thwart Inter in their quest to score goals, go on the front foot themselves and cause an Inter defence which isn’t the most agile problems through Bale and Lennon, at the same time as Van Der Vaart is creating havoc in the centre of the park.

It’s an intriguing spectacle in prospect here in a match-up we can only envisage being decided by the team who show more gusto and vigour in the final third of the pitch. However, that winner would look most likely to be the visitors, who boast the far stronger defence and are equally adept on the front foot, something Tottenham do not boast.

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.88 Bet365
First Goalscorer: Samuel Eto – 7.50 StanJames
Correct Score: 3-2 Inter Milan – 34.00 SkyBet

Selected Bet: Inter Milan to be Leading at Half-Time – 3.50 totesport

Match Odds:

Tottenham Hotspur – 2.70 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.40 SkyBet
Inter Milan – 2.80 Boylesports

Inter Milan V Tottenham Hotspur

Wednesday, 20th October – 19:45 (GMT)
Venue: White Hart Lane, England
TV Coverage: ITV1

There is virtually nothing between these two sides heading into Tuesday’s meeting, as just one goal separates Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur at the top of Group A, where the reigning European champions will play host to English débutantes Tottenham Hotspur who have so far not been overawed by their intimidating and awe-inspiring surroundings.

The Italian powerhouses didn’t exactly open the defence of their crown in impressive fashion, with a Samuel Eto equaliser in Holland away to FC Twente (2-) sparing their blushes as they collected just a point from their first trip of the campaign. However, the Serie A champs were back to their scintillating best on Match Day 2 when thumping German side Werder Bremen at the San Siro courtesy of a Samuel Eto hat-trick.

England’s newest Champions League representative have so far fared OK, more than holding their own in their first two matches against Werder Bremen (2-2) and FC Twente (4-1), with the latter a comprehensive and confidence boosting win which ensured Spurs kept up pace with leaders Inter Milan and should hopefully inspire another gutsy, high-octane performance from Harry Redknapp’s charges.

Inter Milan

Group A Position: 1st
Group A Form: DW

It has so far been a steady if not unspectacular defence to their European crown from the Nerazzurri, who opened their accounts with a disappointing 2-2 draw in Holland with FC Twente before finally sending out a message of intent with a 4-0 rout of German side Werder Bremen at the San Siro that the current holders of the UEFA Champions League trophy are by no means going to relinquish their crown without a fight, and will look to further demonstrate their continental prowess by attempting to despatch of high-flying Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Under new management in the form of former Liverpool tactician Rafael Benitez, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Inter haven’t exactly been blowing the media back home away with their early season performances, with the overall formation of the team, as well as the tactics, pretty much the same as when Mourinho was at the helm. Nevertheless, Inter know full well they have a tactical marvel in the hot seat in Rafa, and the Spaniard will know exactly what Wednesday’s opponents Tottenham Hotspur entail, but more importantly where their weak points lye.

At the San Siro this season, Inter Milan have been close to flawless. Their only blip on home soil to date came when Juventus frustrated them in a 0-0 stalemate. With the exception of the ‘Old Lady’ digging in her heels, Inter have been overwhelming their opponents in Milan this season and will be buoyed by their emphatic 4-0 victory over Werder Bremen last time out. However, performances on the pitch recently haven’t been so great. Samuel Eto, scorer of a hat-trick against Werder Bremen, spared Inter’s blushes at the weekend as Inter recorded their first domestic win following a barren two match run with a 1-0 victory away to Cagliari. Goals have been a problem, with the Milan based club drawing blanks on three occasions already this season, but fortunately for the Nerazzurri faithful, the team hasn’t found goals hard to come by at home nor in Europe – 10 in 4 home matches, 6 in 2 Champions League outings.

Rafael Benitez has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from and is likely to start with an all too familiar 4-3-2-1 formation, the same system he used when at the Liverpool helm. As always, Benitez never goes anywhere without his trusted two holding midfielders, but it’s interesting to see Eto given more licence to thrill up front in a lone striker role in the absence of Diego Milito who is out injured. The dangerous Wesley Sneijder will play just in behind the inform Cameroon striker, just alongside one of the club’s hottest prospects in Argentine Philippe Coutinho, with the pair hoping to keep Eto on his toes throughout with chances.

Tottenham Hotspur

Group A Position: 2nd
Group A Form: DW

A match which epitomises what the Champions League is all about sees one of the competitions newest kids on the block do battle with the reigning kings of Europe, Inter Milan. So far, Tottenham have matched the Italian side stride for stride, with Harry Redknapp’s men level on points with Inter at the top of the standings following a hard-fought and fully deserved 2-2 draw in Germany with Werder Bremen before really announcing themselves on the continental scene when putting newly crowned Dutch champions FC Twente firmly to the sword at White Hart Lane. However, the biggest test of their Champions League credentials awaits them on Wednesday inside an atmospheric San Siro, so will they once again pass with flying colours or will their intimidating surroundings prove too much too soon for Redknapp’s brave but laregely inexperienced charges?

Following a succession of impressive results in this competition already, Tottenham now find they have some pretty high standards to live up to. Away to Werder Bremen, Spurs sprinted out of the blocks when taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes of the game, but their inexperience at this level coupled with their lack of killer instinct ultimately pegged them back as they drew 2-2 in Germany. And it appeared their lack of nerve would once again prove their nemesis on Match Day 2, when seemingly spurning several glorious opportunities to really seize the initiative in their encounter with FC Twente at home before eventually cruising to their maiden victory in the UEFA Champions League in comprehensive 4-1 victory.

The Spurs dressing room will be gorged in confidence following the side’s fourth league win of the season at the weekend, also their second on the road which bodes well ahead of a very difficult away encounter in Milan. However, the defence has been a problem area for Spurs this season, to the point where only one clean sheet has been kept in all competitions so far this term. A lack of first team defenders has been the root of the problem, an issue which doesn’t appear to be easing up any time soon. Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson are both long-term absentee’s, Ledley King’s football is severely restricted through his constant knee problems and is a definite not to be involved on Tuesday after limping off during Saturday;s 2-1 win at Fulham, while Younes Kaboul is struggling with a hamstring injury and is a doubt for Tuesday as well.

So what do Tottenham need to do in order to deter the limelight from their defensive problems and ensure they at least remain competitive in Italy on Tuesday in front of the ITV cameras. Simple really, get as much work as possible out of their more destructive forward assets. Rafael Van Der Vaart, suspended following his red card against FC Twente last time out, has been the key cog in the Spurs creative system this season, with everything going through the classy and highly talented Dutchman, but it’s the pacey wide outlets which could provide Spurs with most of their joy. Gareth Bale is enjoying the best spell of form in his career at present, having scored in the 4-1 win over FC Twente and recently in defeat with his country Wales, and the combination of Bale’s pace and trickery down the left with the same exact qualities down the right in Aaron Lennon should at least keep the forwards, most likely to be Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko as Jermaine Defoe is still out injured, busy throughout the night.

Match Prediction: Inter Milan to WIN – 1.75 Boylesports

I wouldn’t necessarily say Inter are stunning value but there’s enough negativity at the back for Spurs to deter us from backing their sublime run in the competition to date to continue. Tactically Inter are right up their with the very best, but the game will ultimately be decided in the midfield. Can Inter’s creative duo of Sneijder and Coutinho combine to deadly effect and assist the prolific Samuel Eto, and how will Spurs cope without Rafael Van Der Vaart? Perhaps the inform Gareth Bale and the skilful Aaron Lennon can combine to deadly affect.

So many interesting match-ups and it could boil down to who wins their individual battles when it comes to deciding the winner. But, with Tottenham’s defence currently at sixes and sevens, we fancy Inter Milan will edge this one, with Samuel Eto bang in form and so difficult to stop when at the top of his game.

Over/Under: Under 2.5 Goals – 2.10 SportingBet
First Goalscorer: Samuel Eto – 5.25 VCBet
Correct Score: 2-0 Inter Milan – 10.00 Unibet

Selected Bet: Inter Milan to WIN to NIL – 3.20 PaddyPower

Match Odds:

Inter Milan – 1.75 Boylesports
Draw – 3.80 bWin
Tottenham Hotspur – 5.50 SkyBet

2010/2011 UEFA Champions League: Match Day 1

Tuesday, 14th September

Group A
FC Twente V Inter Milan
Werder Bremen V Tottenham Hotspur

Group B
 Lyon V Schalke
Benfica V Hapoel Tel-Aviv

Group C
Manchester United V Rangers
Buraspor V Valencia

Group D
Barcelona V Panathinakos
FC Copenhagen V Rubin Kazan

Wednesday, 15th September

Group E
Bayern Munich V As Roma
CFR Cluj V FC Basel

Group F
Marseille V Spartak Moscow
MSK Zilina V Chelsea

Group G
Real Madrid V Ajax
AC Milan V AJ Auxerre

Group H
Arsenal V Braga
Shakhtar Donestk V Partizan Belgrade

FC Twente V Inter Milan

Tuesday, 14th September – 19:45 GMT

UEFA Champions League: Group A

FC Twente

One of six débutantes, FC Twente will be competing in their first ever UEFA Champions League campaign and couldn’t of wished for a more poignant opener than a home tie with reigning champions Inter Milan, where further down the line matches with a dangerous Werder Bremen and an energetic Tottenham Hotspur await them in a Group A which can only be described as ‘fiercely competitive’.

The club have stated on more than one occasion, just to emphasise a point if you like, that FC Twente certainly won’t be turning up to merely make up the numbers; to soak up the unique atmosphere, pocket a substantial sum and simply disappear. Michael Prued’homme’s side are here to play ball, with the realistic ambition of progression into the last-sixteen, where further formidable challenges will await them against more of Europe’s finest. And while you cannot discourage any club from aiming high, we do feel Twente are asking a lot considering they’ve taken several backward steps since clinching their first Dutch Eredivise title last season.

The summer has been hectic for Holland’s newest champions – a club which only eight years ago was in financial ruin and close to exstinction – but the first big change of the summer sparked further revelations, as with Steve McClaren ditching Holland’s supposed finest for German side VFL Wolfsburg, two of the club’s more dynamic and destructive players followed suit as midfielder Miroslav Stoch and striker Blaise Nkufo also called time on their Twente careers, whom scored 10 and 12 respectively last season. Fortunately, new manager Michael Preud’homme did manage to retain the services of Costa Rican striker Bryan Ruiz, who top scored for the club last season with 24 goals in his first full season, and at just 24 years-old is already catching the eye of many of Europe’s big clubs.

FC Twente will at least take some positive form into Tuesday night’s game with Italian powerhouses Inter Milan, sprinting out of the starting blocks in the new term with a five-game unbeaten run following three wins and two draws. They also boast a formidable record on home soil, at the De Grolsch Veste stadium, where the team didn’t lose a single game at home in the Eredivise last season, dropping just two points as they notched up 16 wins in 17 home matches, and haven’t lost a league encounter for two-and-a-half-years. Impressive stuff, and if FC Twente are to make some notable inroads in Europe this season, their form at home will be pivotal to their chances.

Inter Milan

A lot is to be expected from Inter Milan this season, what with the club boasting domestic and European dominance following their treble haul last term. Under the exuberant guidance of Jose Mourinho, the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’, the Nerazzurri managed to fend off all challengers en route to claiming their first Champions League title last season, thus ending a 45-year wait for Europe’s elite club prize, and now the pressure is really on for his predecessor, Rafael Benitez, who’s six-year spell at the Liverpool helm came to an abrupt end at the beginning of pre-season.

Inter Milan’s newest coach, Spaniard Rafael Benitez, really does have big shoes to fill following Jose Mourinho’s treble last season, where the Portuguese supremo helped the club to the Serie A title, Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League. The former Valencia & Liverpool manager has already clinched his first piece of silverware in Italy, beating AS Roma in the Italian Super Cup, but he’s been unable to continue the winning trend as such as his Inter Milan side put in a pitiful performance in the UEFA Super Cup against last season’s Europa League winners Atletico Madrid, where the Italians succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in Monaco, France.

The Italian champs have also made a sluggish start to life in Serie A, beginning with a less than satisfactory 0-0 draw away in Bologna before finally getting off the mark with a far from convincing 2-1 win over Udinese at the San Siro. Their tepid start to the season has already lead to some stinging criticism for Benitez, with some corners of the media claiming Inter now look a more negative outfit under the Spaniard, with similar claims directed at him during his time at Liverpool. And it’s no wonder so many have instantly taken a dislike to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, a line up which frustrated the pants off of Liverpool fans over a six year period where Benitez opted for caution rather than forward flair and freedom. 

Despite being the reigning European champions, Inter Milan will do well to match their feat in 2011 at Wembley, England, where the final for this year’s tournament is to be held. A lot went their way last term, while the tactical nous of Mourinho enabled Inter to perform at their full potential and claim the scalps of both Chelsea and Barcelona en route to slaying Bayern Munich in the final itself. Their route just to the knock-outs appears tough enough, so a positive start to the defence of their European crown is essential if they’re to convince everyone that they do possess what it takes to do it all over again.

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.65 bWin

FC Twente’s record at home over the last couple of seasons is so strong that I’m leaning towards a stalemate. Granted their formidable and impressive home record is based around the Dutch Eredivise, a league no longer categorised as an elite league in Europe, but there’s a reason for that and we’re willing to take a chance on the 20,000 enthusiastic Twente fans roaring their side to success in their opening Champions League encounter with an Inter Milan side which has flattered to deceive so far under Rafael Benitez.

The Italians are a shade of odds-on to begin the defence of their title with a flurry. We wouldn’t touch that with a barge pole right now, not least until we see some substantial improvements on their part.

Soccer-Betting Value Bet: First Team to Score: FC Twente – 3.00 Bet365

Match Odds:

FC Twente – 5.00 SkyBet
Draw – 3.65 bWin
Inter Milan – 1.83 Boylesports

Bayern Munich V Inter Milan

Competition: UEFA Champions League – Final

Kick-off: Saturday, 22nd May – 19:45 (GMT)

Coverage: ITV1

The 2009-2010 UEFA Champions League final will be a momentous occasion for several reasons, the first being this years rendition of the greatest club competition in Europe having been scheduled for a Saturday night. No previous Champions League final, nor the old format of the competition, has ever been played on a Saturday night meaning the two teams involved, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, will set their name in stone by being the first teams ever to contest a Saturday night Champions League final, while the victorious party will claim sole rights to being the first to reign supreme on a Saturday.

Secondly, both these two teams are out to put the record straight, with Bayern Munich looking to secure their fifth European crown while Inter Milan are out to end a 45 year drought without winning Europe’s biggest club competition. There will also be this intriguing battle between two of the game’s brightest tacticians in Bayern’s Louis Van Gaal and Inter’s Jose Mourinho, of which both are on the verge of joining an illustrious few to win the competition with two different clubs.

What we also have here is two domestic champions, as well as two teams on the verge of completing an historic treble. Bayern Munich secured their twenty-second German league title, as well as winning the DFB-Pokal trophy last Saturday in comprehensive fashion. Inter, however, have been equally impressive winning the Coppa Italia last month before later clinching their fifth successive Seria A title on the final day of an exciting season, also on Saturday. Only two clubs previously have successfully completed the perfect treble and they were Manchester United and Barcelona. One of these two teams will write their name into the history books.

So, who will reign supreme in Spain? The German powerhouses led by the wise Louis van Gaal, or will it be Jose Mourinho‘s time to bask in the European glory for the second time in six years with the Italians?

Bayern Munich will look to join an elite list of clubs to have won Europe’s biggest club competition five times when they entertain Italian maestros Inter Milan at Real Madrid’s famous Santiago Bernabeu stadium. 2001 was the year when Bayern Munich last competed in a Champions League, with the Bavarians winning a nervy affair with Valencia via penalties. On a night where the pressure really will be on the Bayern players, the 40-odd thousand travelling Bavarians could well be in for another nervy night as the German champions seek out a fifth European crown.

The Road to Spain: It’s been an unconvincing Champions League campaign for Louis Van Gaal’s Bayern Munich, with their European fate almost sealed when clashing with Juventus in Turin needing only a win to save their Champions League life. That was the first of many ‘crunch’ games for the Germans, who had their poor and inconsistent showing through the group stage to thank for their ‘must win’ scenario in their final group outing. However, the irony is Juventus would become the first of two Italian sides Bayern would despatch along the way to their dream final where an Italian side would again need to be slayed in order to lifted the coveted trophy aloft for a fifth time.  The second came in the very next round when they met Fiorentina in the last-sixteen. After earlier winning the home leg 2-1, Bayern starred exit once again in the face when going 3-1 down in Florence before Dutch Wizard Arjen Robben popped up with a wonder-goal to save Bayern’s bacon. The latter would soon become a feature in Bayern’s progression through the knock-out stage, as Bayern seemingly met their match in Manchester United, winning the first leg 2-1 but trailing 3-0 in the second and decisive away leg before another stunning comeback, another wonder-goal from Arjen Robben. The semi-finals, however, went rather smoothly for a team which had previously strived to make progression as tough as possible; beating Lyon 3-0 in France after a 1-0 win in Germany.

If Bayern’s European adventure up till now has told us anything it is they like to do things the hard way, and if they follow the same philosophy on Saturday night, we’re sure to be in for another entertaining game of football involving the Munich giants. This season especially, even in their domestic campaign, Louis Van Gaal has focused more on Bayern’s attacking attributes, using the forward talent of Ivica Olic, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben to his and Bayern’s advantage. In many respects, although Van Gaal would never de-value the back four’s efforts, defending went out the window to some extent as Bayern have built a successful Champions League bid upon the basis of ‘we’ll score more than you’. Under Van Gaal Bayern aren’t a defence minded team, they play in one way and that’s in a ruthless, attacking manner, and even though Saturday’s clash with Inter is arguably the biggest game of a so far fruitful season, we expect nothing less than the same aggressive approach from the newly crowned German champions.

Franck Ribery’s suspension does, unfortunately, throw a spanner in the Bayern works as Van Gaal will need to make some crucial adjustments. What Bayern as a team lose in Ribery’s absence is some explosive play in the final, a player with no fear when entering into the final third of the pitch and one of those rarities in today’s game in that the French winger, despite a turbulent season, is more than capable of turning up and putting in one of those sublime displays worthy of winning a competition of this magnitude. Instead, it would appear as though Van Gaal will recruit Hamit Altintop as a make-shift left-midfielder. The Turkish midfielder has only been a bit-part player at the club since his move back in 2007 but he looks the only like-for-like replacement, if there is such a replacement for a player of Ribery’s calibre. Baring all this in mind, it’s fair to say that Bayern, on paper anyway, don’t look as formidable up front as they would with Ribery in the team. They will, of course, have the Dutch wizard of Arjen Robben done the right, a player which has single handily revived Bayern’s European dream on more than one occasion, but on the biggest stage of them all can Louis Van Gaal and Bayern Munich really rely upon another magical display from Robben to land them their fifth European title?

For Inter Milan, It will seem an eternity this wait for a Champions League trophy, and the 22nd May in sunny Spain could be the beautiful setting which sees Inter Milan finally end their 45 year wait for Europe’s biggest prize. The conductor behind Inter Milan’s change in European fortune, the Special One, of course. Jose Mourinho, like his opposite number, will have eyes only for his second Champions League winners medal when his well oiled and well drilled Milan side take on the aggressive Bayern Munich in a game which earlier in the season was being described as the ‘dream’ by Mourinho.

The Road to Spain: The ‘dream’ started with a tough draw at the very first hurdle, being drawn alongside reigning European champions Barcelona. A draw and a defeat to the Catalan wasn’t the best, nor did it silence the many Mourinho and Inter Milan critics, but Inter did just enough in a tight and exciting Group F to make the knock-out stage, where Mourinho’s former club Chelsea awaited Inter. Only a few gave Inter Milan much hope against the now English champions, but Mourinho masterminded the first of many several defeats when beating the Blues from England 2-1 at San Siro before etching out a hard-fought 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. In the quarter-finals, though, was a Russian side thriving off their underdog status in CSKA Moscow. Inter, though, were defying the odds themselves after claiming the scalp of Chelsea in the last-sixteen stage, beginning to show the first signs that the Nerazzurri were finally a force to be reckoned with in Europe, and two 1-0 wins in both legs sent Jose Mourinho and Inter head first into a tantalising battle with Barcelona for the third and fourth time this season. It was a game plugged up as ‘Mourinho V Messi’, the tactician against the sublime Argentinian. Who won, who else, Jose Mourinho. Inter produced a scintillating display in the first leg to take a 3-1 victory over to Spain, where Mourinho later produced his second master-stroke of the competition, engineering Inter to the biggest aggregate victory for many a year, beating last years winners 3-2 on aggregate after a master-class from the Italians in defending.

Like Bayern Munich, who recently claimed a league and cup double, Inter Milan will arrive in Spain with two trophies, also the league and the Italian cup, and desperately seeking an historic treble. Jose Mourinho has never endeared himself to the Italian public nor has the Inter Milan fans taken to the bumptious Portuguese manager, but victory at the Bernabeu in arguably the clubs biggest ever fixture and Mourinho’s wavering reputation in Italy would be all but wiped clean, whilst entering into Inter Milan folklore. How has Mourinho pulled off such a feat? Through being a managerial genius. In every single knock-out game, Jose Mourinho has got his tactics spot on, while his players have implemented Mourinho’s game-plan to perfection. It’s been a prime example of how when a manager and a team work together in unison, great things can happen.

On Saturday, though, Mourinho and Inter Milan will get just one shot at glory. This fantastic pairing has produced the goods on every other occasions so far but can they deliver the final package when the pressure is well and truly on? Moreover, does anyone really know how Mourinho will set Inter Milan up? The Italian champs have proven that they are both capable of defending for prolonged periods of time and scoring goals in a clinical manner, but with the next 90 minutes being on neutral ground and no second chance legs to recover, will Jose Mourinho counter Bayern’s aggression with some forceful play of his own? That’s the beauty of Mourinho; no-one really knows what’s going round in his head. One thing is for sure, there hasn’t been an Inter side as good as the current crop, a more confident or self believing Inter Milan for quite some time… 45 years in fact. Will 2010 finally be their year?

Inter Milan To Lift The Trophy – 1.57 Boylesports

Considering Bayern Munich are a little over evens to lift the Champions League trophy for a fifth time, our pick of Inter Milan to end their lengthy drought with a European trophy may sound a tad illogical and bizarre. However, with Jose Mourinho’s tactical nous at the helm, it’s terribly difficult to look past the Italians finalising a dream run in the Champions League with a winning finish.

What Inter Milan have that Bayern Munich perhaps don’t is a man capable of masterminding any teams downfall, with Milan’s scalp of the current champions Barcelona the evidence to back up my statement. Mourinho is a tactical genius, arguably the greatest tactician currently in management, and add that into the mix of Inter Milan producing some of their best European displays for years and you’ve got a winning Champions League final formula. Or so we think.

We wouldn’t dare try to sum up how we think either side will set up and play on Saturday, as even we are somewhat in the dark. However, what we do have is two of the most successful teams in Europe right now, both desperate to cap an incredible season with the biggest cherry on the cake. Bayern have an array of forward talent, ready and waiting to explode, but their defence and midfield isn’t the strongest. Inter Milan, though, are a more complete package. So well organised at the back, at times impenetrable, a midfield led by a wise Esteban Cambiasso, capable of taking this final by the scruff of the neck, and an effective forward pairing of Samuel Eto and Diego Milito, the latter especially outstanding this season. The more we sit and think the more we edge towards Mourinho’s Inter.

Match Odds:

Bayern Munich – 3.40 VCbet
Draw – 3.30 bWin
Inter Milan -2.35 Interwetten

Method of Victory:

Bayern Munich on Penalties – 11.00 SportingBet
Inter Milan on Penalties – 11.00 SportingBet

UEFA Champions League: Semi-Final, Second Leg

Barcelona V Inter Milan

Wednesday, 28^th April – 19:45 (GMT)

Nou Camp, Spain

TV Coverage: ITV1

First Leg: Inter Milan 3-1 Barcelona

There were a fearful few who stuck their necks on the line by giving Inter Milan, a team who have massively underachieved down the years, any sort of a chance against the Catalan Giants of Spain, Barcelona but those who did will be reaping the rewards after the Italian champs stormed into a decisive first leg lead, one which, dare we say it, could leave Barcelona with too much to do heading back home.

It was plain sailing for Jose Mourinho’s charges but it didn’t look that way in the early stages as Pedro leathered home from just inside the Inter Milan penalty area on the 19 minute mark to hand Barcelona not only the advantage but a vital away goal. You might have been forgiven for thinking a Barcelona storm was brewing but that was far from the case, as Inter Milan began a relentless pursuit of an equaliser and had just 10 minutes to wait when Wesley Sneijder, arguably the player of the tournament thus far for the Nerrazzurri, drilled home a low driven shot to quickly restore parity. The goal sparked the Italian side into life as they went in search for a second and got their just rewards three minutes after the break when some neat footwork from Maicon allowed him to poke him form four yards. We’re sure many Inter fans would have wished for an early final whistle but had they done so they would have missed a third for their side as Diego Miltio, another player who has thrived in the Champions League this season, scored his fourth of the competition and Inter’s third to send the Inter fans home happy. Barcelona did press for their second of the game but created nothing clear cut.

Round 1 went the way of the Special One, but will Pep Guardiola stamp his mark on the tie as Barcelona head back home to the Spanish version of the coliseum, the Nou Camp. Well, with Inter holding a two goal advantage and knowing a goal in Spain would leave the hosts needing to score at least three, the bookies have cut Inter Milan’s price to qualify right down and have now made Mourinho’s men the favourites to make the final at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu. A whole host of firms make Inter a 1.67 (SkyBet, Ladbrokes, WilliamHill) shot to make the grand final while Barcelona are a rather unattractive 2.25 with Bet365 and PaddyPower to make the cut instead.

Barcelona

Outright Odds: 3.15 bWin

With the lengthy road trip to Milan in Italy paying little dividends, Barcelona now need to immolate the the win they enjoyed over Inter Milan when the two teams met in the group stages. The Catalan side won that encounter 2-0 and the same scoreline would see Josep Guardiola guide Barcelona to their second successive Champions League final appearance where, as a direct result, they would have the opportunity to successfully defend their crown and become the first team since Inter’s neighbours Milan to win back-to-back titles in Europe’s Premier club competition.

Guardiola must first mastermind a victory over a man arguably far superior in the mental department than himself in Jose Mourinho. However, that doesn’t always make up for a lack of quality within a team and while Inter Milan do boast an array of talent, it’s Barcelona’s squad which is far superior and it’s this reason alone why the Barcelona giants haven’t yet been written out of this semi-final tie despite trailing by 2 goals. The task does seemingly appear a mountain though as while Barcelona have the striking prowess to score the minimum requirement of two goals, they must also ensure they don’t concede at the other end, which, considering they failed to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal in the last round, could be easier said than done against an Inter side which has scored in each of their two knock-out away legs.

There is one omen currently going in Barcelona’s favour, that being Inter’s failure to win away leg in semi-final. However, loyal Barcelona followers will feel they need little in terms of luck and good fortune and that the class of their squad will shine through on the big stage and in thee biggest occasion. It’s safe to say that this game will be Barcelona’s biggest game of the season thus far, and for all their attractive play, world class players and worldwide following, it’s going to be an uphill struggle still. However, it’s a testament in itself that pundits everywhere, including us, aren’t writing Guardiola’s men off and actually feel Barcelona are more than capable of scoring a sufficient amount of goals to take them through. Ideally, Barcelona would need three goals before the 90 minutes elapses in order to lay down a safety net should Inter score at the other end. Any other game and three goals, in the knowledge that they must get three goals or else, would be a doddle for the reigning European Champions, but against an Inter Milan side which will be well drilled and well organised at the back, that could be tough.

The positive factor is Barcelona now exactly what they have to do, they now need to go out on their famous Nou Camp pitch and do the business in front of a packed out stadium thriving some Inter blood. Players such as Xavi Hernandez, Pedro, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and, of course, Lionel Messi, the players which can really make a difference in the final third, need to produce their very best on Wednesday night while hoping their back four remain watertight. We don’t just think it’s possible, we know it’s possible, but for one reason or another we have our doubts. Will Lionel Messi, the greatest player in the world on current form, have the last say once again after his four goal haul in Barcelona’ last knock-out encounter at the Nou Camp put pay to Arsenal’s Champions League dreams in the quarter’s.

Inter Milan

Outright Odds: 2.70 totesport

It’s been nearly forty years since Inter Milan last made the final of the European Champions Club Competition, now known as the Champions League, but their stunning efforts in the first leg have ensured the Milan based club have a better chance than ever to break their thirty-eight year duck. It has been an arduous campaign from the Italian champions, but the hard work isn’t done quite yet as they now need to complete the dethroning procedure by frustrating the reigning European Champions at the Nou Camp.

Reaching the final of the Champions League was described as a ‘dream’ by one Jose Mourinho, so it would be fitting should the Special One guide a club, who have underachieved massively in recent European campaigns, to their first final since 1972. Inter’s hard-working, tenacious and surprisingly adventurous attitude in the first leg means the Nerazzurri have one foot in Bernabeu’s show-piece. They must now finish the second instalment in a professional manner by limiting Barcelona’s enjoyment in front of goal. Should Inter concede two on the night without reply, Mourinho’s dream of a second Champions League title, and Inter’s first under the competition’s new name and format, would be over.

We’re pretty confident Jose Mourinho will set his side up to defend for the majority of the game in a bid to make the task at hand as hard as possible for Barcelona. Inter proved in the last-sixteen they had what it takes to defend a first leg lead when they frustrated the pants off of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 victory. With Barcelona’s attack unparalleled, another away clean sheet against one of Europe’s elite sides looks very unlikely especially considering Inter haven’t won the away leg of a semi-final encounter in their history. However, Inter have looked more threatening from an attacking point-of-view in their away encounters this season and are aiming to score in their third away knock-out encounter of the competition at the Nou Camp after scoring exactly one goal at both Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) and the Luzhniki Stadium (CSKA Moscow).

It’s pretty simple in terms of what Inter Milan have to do on the night; make the next 90 minutes as ugly, unattractive and boring as possible and they’ll qualify. They’ll need to scrap, defend for their lives and, arguably more importantly of all, keep Lionel Messi out of the game like they did in the first leg. As soon as Messi got on the ball there was an Inter Milan player closing him down, giving the silky Argentine no time whatsoever to cast his magic. Mourinho and Inter nullified the threat of Messi magnificently in the first leg, but at the Nou Camp where the pitch is bigger and slicker, taking Messi out of the game could be next to impossible. If so, the Inter back four will need the game of their lives, as well will goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who has yet to concede an away goal in the knock-out stages and has gone 330 minutes without conceding in the Champions League.

Injuries, Suspensions and Yellow Card occupants

Andres Iniesta will miss the second leg through injury while Carles Puyol is suspended. Daniel Alves and Gerard Pique are one card away from missing the final.

Dejan Stankovic is Inter’s only absentee as he serves a one-game European suspension. However, there are a host of players on the verge of missing the final itself should they receive a booking in the Nou Camp, including club captain Javier Zanetti, as well will Walter Samuel, Maicon and former Barcelona star Samuel Eto’o.

Match Verdict: Draw – 5.00 VCBet

It’s difficult to look past Barcelona for the win in terms of 90 minutes betting but that doesn’t mean we think their price is of any value and so we’ve had little option but to look elsewhere, and while the DRAW may not have been our desired pick for this encounter, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

The Barcelona team will take to the Nou Camp, what has been a happy setting for them down the years in Europe, knowing only a win will do, a comfortable one at that. However, what they’ll find directly in front of them is an Inter Milan side well equipped to thwart their forward attempts. This Inter team is far from impenetrable, but Jose Mourinho’s team proved at Stamford Bridge that they could overcome the odds, cling onto a first leg lead and make the second leg a scrappy, dull affair. They will look to do the exact same at the Nou Camp whilst looking for a killer away goal on the break. We reckon they’ll get an away goal, as the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito all have the ability, skills and attributes needed to score within an instance.

Inter Milan won’t be over exuberant in their play; defending deep and in large numbers for large periods. However, they won’t be afraid to break forward with a bit of pace and in force, and against a Barcelona defence which will be without Carles Puyol, their defensive leader, and one which has a number of players on a yellow card, Inter could tip-toe around the Barca back line. We can see Inter going behind but we reckon they’ll have the strength of mind to recover, hold their own and grab one of their own later on.

Match Odds

Barcelona – 1.44 Boylesports

Draw – 5.00 VCbet

Inter Milan – 8.00 BetFred

Our Vale Punt: Barcelona/Draw (HT/FT Betting) – 23.00 Coral