Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash pits last season’s finalists, Inter Milan, against three-time Champions League runners-up Atlético Madrid at the San Siro in the first leg.
This encounter appears to be a contest between evenly-matched teams with similar playing styles. Still, the signs point to Inter having the upper hand.
Inter Milan arrive at this stage with an impressive record, having swept through the group stage without losing a single match. They currently rule Serie A, boasting a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the table. Simone Inzaghi has instilled a winning mentality in his squad, as evidenced by their current unbeaten run of 10 matches, including eight consecutive victories. This dominant streak has been fueled by a remarkable goal difference of 21:4.
This statistic not only highlights their scoring ability but also their defensive prowess. However, the caveat is Inter haven’t faced a serious challenge in the domestic league, raising questions about their ability to translate this dominance onto the business end of the European stage.
Atletico Madrid: The Spanish Contenders
Visiting Atletico Madrid, under the guidance of coach Diego Simeone, could provide a hard nut to crack for Inter. Los Colchoneros also had a successful run in the Champions League. Notably, they topped Group E with a four-point buffer over another Italian side, Lazio, and secured a spot in the last 16 without a defeat.
However, their recent form has been less consistent, with two losses in their last three matches, which may raise concerns about their current performance level.
Simeone is renowned for his tactical discipline and strategic organisation. Consequently, Atletico will likely adopt a defensive approach in this first leg, prioritising a positive result to carry back to Spain for the return fixture.
However, there are potential concerns for Atlético. They have lost both of their previous European matches officiated by referee István Kovács, failing to score in either encounter. This begs the question: can they overcome this historical hurdle and achieve a favourable outcome this time around?
Betting Tip: Inter to win
20/02 21:00 Inter Milan – Atletico Madrid Inter to win @ 1.78 (Betano)
Despite the evenly matched teams and styles, Inter’s current form and home advantage tip the scales in their favour. Their impressive winning streak, coupled with Atletico’s recent struggles, especially in away games, make them the more likely winners.
The fact that Inter haven’t faced a true test in Serie A remains a slight concern. However, their attacking firepower and home support should see them get the better of Atletico.
Therefore, we recommend betting on Inter to win at boosted odds of 1.78 on Betano.
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid - Inter to win @ 1.78
However, for a more secure wager, consider the 1.72 odds for an Inter win with Betano’s “2 Goals Ahead” feature. This feature ensures you win your bet if Inter builds a two-goal lead at any point in the match, regardless of the final outcome. This eliminates the need to wait until the final whistle and allows you to secure your winnings early, freeing you to enjoy the rest of the game with less anxiety.