Wednesday’s Champions League Predictions: City and Inter guard against complacency

Joe Crann

18 April 2023

Both Manchester City and Inter Milan enter Wednesday’s Champions League second legs with one foot in the final four. Their greatest challenge is to make sure that complacency doesn’t get the better of them.

Pep Guardiola’s men were utterly dominant in the reverse fixture against Bayern Munich and they stuck three past the German giants. Meanwhile Inter’s 2-0 win away from home stands them in very good stead for a place in the semi-finals despite their poor league form.

It would be a major shock if either progress given the current standings, but football expert Joe Crann has looked for the value with his recommended bet for both of Wednesday’s games.

Bayern Munich v Manchester City

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

To say that Bayern’s form is sketchy would be an understatement. The demolition by City isn’t their only defeat in recent weeks, with Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg both getting the better of them in the last month. Lowly Hoffenheim also came from behind to grab a point at the Allianz Arena in their last fixture.

You should expect the rampant Cityzens to get on the scoresheet as Bayern have kept just two clean sheets since the start of March, so it’s no surprise to see both teams to score being offered at 1.55.

Pep Guardiola: may rest a few of his starters on Wednesday evening

Guardiola’s side is unstoppable right now as proven by their 10-game winning sequence. In the last six matches, they have scored three or more goals and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has scored 14 of their last 27.

With City still on the hunt for a treble, there may be a temptation to rest players in Munich. However, they have great strength-in-depth and can secure a nicely priced victory away from home.

Prediction: Manchester City to win @ 2.5

Inter Milan v Benfica

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Largely in line with how Inter’s form has been in recent times, their impressive 2-0 win away at Benfica was followed by a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Monza over the weekend.

They have been blowing hot and cold for weeks now, which will give the Portuguese outfit some hope of getting something at the San Siro – even if it is a big ask.

Stefan de Vrij came off against Monza with an injury, which offers a blow to their already shaky backline, and Benfica manager Roger Schmidt will feel that they have the firepower to get on the scoresheet against a Nerazzurri team that hasn’t kept many clean sheets.

Benfica are in a mini funk themselves, though, and have posted three consecutive defeats after going over three months without being beaten in 90 minutes.

Romelu Lukaku (5.7 anytime goalscorer) has scored three of Inter’s last five goals. Many will fancy him to net again, but the recent form of both clubs suggests there’s a very good chance that this encounter will prove tight and scrappy.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.8