Champions League matchday 1: Manchester City vs Inter Milan betting preview

While it feels like yesterday since Real Madrid won the Champions League, the brand new campaign is upon us. Matchday one begins this week and Wednesday brings an intriguing clash in England as Manchester City welcomes Inter Milan to the Etihad Stadium. The kick-off is scheduled for 3 PM ET. This is a rematch of the 2023 UCL final where the Cityzens ran out 1-0 winners to lift their first-ever European trophy. The Sky Blues are perfect so far this season domestically while Inter has two wins and two draws so far. Below, we’ll dive into the head-to-head history and preview the recent form of these two clubs.

Head-to-head history

There’s actually minimal history between Man City and Inter in this competition. In fact, their first-ever meeting was in the 2023 final when Rodri proved to be the difference-maker in a 1-0 victory. Inter has won on the road against four other English clubs, which is something to keep an eye on ahead of Wednesday’s affair at the Etihad.

Man City

It’s been a flying start to the campaign for Pep Guardiola’s men, winning all four of their games. They’ve beaten Chelsea, Ipswich Town, West Ham, and most recently, Brentford. City conceded in the opening minute of the match but talisman Erling Haaland quickly put them back on top with a first-half brace. The Norwegian is absolutely thriving so far this term, already netting nine times. He’s also scored two hat-tricks in only four appearances.

Overall, the Sky Blues have scored 11 times and Haaland is responsible for nearly every goal. The backline has been solid as well, allowing a mere three goals in their own net. Man City sits comfortable at the top of the table with 12 points, two clear of Arsenal. Despite losing Julian Alvarez this summer, City is clearly just as strong as ever and it will be difficult for anyone to dethrone them in the Premier League.

When it comes to the Champions League, their goal of repeating last season came to a halt in the quarterfinals in a heartbreaking defeat across two legs against eventual winners, Real Madrid. But, City is unbeaten in their last 23 UCL games (the defeat to Madrid was in penalties in the second leg). The Sky Blues have 16 wins and seven draws during that span. There’s a reason the hosts are a -200 favorite for Wednesday’s clash at Sports Interaction.

Inter Milan

The Scudetto winners finished 19 points clear in first place last season with a mind-boggling +67 goal difference and have started well this term. Inter has two wins and two draws but settled for a single point in a disappointing stalemate with Monza over the weekend. It nearly looked like it was going to end in defeat until Denzel Dumfries salvaged a point in the 88th minute with an equalizer.

Perhaps it was the international break that made Inter rusty but on matchday three they hammered Atalanta 4-0. Overall, the Nerazzurri have scored nine times and conceded just three goals. Marcus Thuram is firing on all cylinders in the final third, leading the top flight with four goals. Nico Barella also has a goal and an assist.

Inter has bowed out in the round of 16 in the Champions League in two of the last three seasons but as previously mentioned, they were in the ‘23 showpiece. The club has enjoyed success at times in the competition but will face a very tough task on matchday one, hence why they’re an underdog at soccer betting sites.