Having lost all three previous European meetings with Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen will be eager to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat when they host the Italians at the BayArena on matchday six of the UEFA Champions League.
Both sides dominated their respective domestic leagues last season, with Bayer Leverkusen achieving a historic unbeaten campaign to claim their first-ever Bundesliga title. Replicating such a monumental feat was always going to be a tall order, and the Black and Reds have understandably struggled to hit the same heights this term.
They currently sit third in the Bundesliga, mirroring Inter Milan’s position in Serie A. However, both remain well-positioned to progress to the UCL knockout stages.
However, attacking midfield dynamo Florian Wirtz has continued to impress for the German champions this term, contributing 10 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. If Leverkusen are to prevail, their best shot likely lies in exploiting their attacking strengths, as their defensive frailties have been glaring.
With 20 goals conceded in the Bundesliga already, Leverkusen are joint-ninth defensively, hardly the hallmark of a watertight backline. Their defensive weakness was laid bare in the 4-0 loss to Liverpool, where they leaked an alarming 3.79 xG, suggesting Xabi Alonso’s side struggles to contain elite teams.
However, Leverkusen are very strong at home in Europe, having won seven of their last eight European matches at BayArena, a significant advantage they’ll lean on heading into this clash.
Solid Nerazzurri
Inter Milan, meanwhile, will arrive in Germany confident of fully exploiting Leverkusen’s porous defence. The Nerazzurri boast Serie A’s best attack, having scored three or more goals in half their league matches. Marcus Thuram has been pivotal to those numbers, with 11 goals to his name this season, and is one to watch in this encounter.
But Inter’s strengths don’t end with their attack. Simone Inzaghi’s men are equally solid at the back, having kept four consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League – each of them victories.
Another key element of Inter’s game is their dominance in corners. Averaging 6.64 corners per match in Serie A – the highest in the league – they create opportunities not just from open play but also from set pieces.
With a well-rounded game and plenty of tactical weapons, Inter will head into this encounter confident of extending their winning streak against Leverkusen.
Betting Tip: Bet Builder – Under 2.5 Goals; Florian Wirtz & Marcus Thuram 1+ Shot on Target
10/12 21:00 Bayer Leverkusen – Inter Milan Bet Builder – Under 2.5 Goals; Florian Wirtz & Marcus Thuram 1+ Shot on Target @ 5.00 (Betano)
Both teams come into this fixture with strong attacking credentials, but they’ve also shown a knack for low-scoring matches this season. Tuesday’s clash at the BayArena could follow a similar pattern.
Inter have made a habit of playing conservatively in the Champions League, focusing on defensive solidity while aiming to edge tight games. Their streak of four clean sheets in the competition reflects this approach.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso will be keen to address his side’s defensive lapses, likely opting for a more organised setup to counter Inter’s threats.
Individual brilliance could prove decisive. And with Florian Wirtz and Marcus Thuram central to their teams’ attacking efforts, both players are likely to have a say in a match that may hinge on fine margins.
For this encounter, a Bet Builder offers excellent value. We are backing Under 2.5 Goals, alongside Florian Wirtz & Marcus Thuram to have 1+ Shot on Target, which combines for a healthy 5.00 odds on Betano.
Alternatively, a standalone punt worth considering is Over 5.5 Corners for Inter at 3.35 odds, given their remarkable average of 6.64 corners per game.
For a bigger payoff, you could even add this to the Bet Builder, resulting in a bumper package of 19.00 odds.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter Milan - Bet Builder: Under 2.5 Goals; Florian Wirtz & Marcus Thuram 1+ Shot on Target @ 5.00
Possible Lineups:
- Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky (GK); Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié; Arthur, Palacios, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz.
- Inter: Sommer (GK); Bissek, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Zieliñski, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi.
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