Inter Milan vs Lyon
Both teams are set to test their mettle in European competitions this upcoming campaign, and both are determined to make every game count as they get ready to face the best and strongest domestic football clubs in world football.
The ICC 2018 Inter Milan vs Lyon match-up may not be the best fixture to watch this weekend, but there’s no doubt it has the potential to become a compelling affair as the two sides aim for a positive and morale-boosting result.
Luciano Spalletti’s men finished fourth in the Serie A last season to automatically qualify for the Champions League, and they are hoping to use this tournament as a springboard to better gear themselves for the gruelling year ahead.
The same goes for French club Lyon who finished third in Ligue 1 the previous campaign. They aren’t expected to make a huge mark in the top European competition this year, but they are certainly eager to make no sense of the odds as proven by their recent performance against Benfica in this tournament.
Talking Points
Unlike the other clubs in the competition, Inter Milan and Lyon are undoubtedly the lesser known teams. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean the battle between these Champions League-bound squads will be less exciting. In fact, looking at their recent performances, it might be the total opposite!
Both sides have impressed so far, so it’s not wrong to have higher expectations in this fixture at Stadio Via del Mare in Italy.
Inter Milan went winless in four games last month, but that stretch featured two draws and a penalty shoot-out defeat to Chelsea.
In their loss to the Blues, Spalletti’s side battled back from one goal down to force a shoot-out. For what it’s worth, that was against a Chelsea team that featured the likes of Jorginho, Alvaro Morata, Ross Barkley, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso and Pedro—basically an almost full-strength Premier League team!
Inter have regulars Mauro Icardi and Roberto Gagliardini manning the front, giving them a formidable attacking duo. The two linked up in their game against Chelsea, with Icardi turning provider to Gagliardini for the second-half equaliser.
First-choice keeper Samir Handanovic is also at Inter’s disposal, while defenders Milan Skriniar and Danilo D’Ambrosio are present to anchor the backline.
With such a strong lineup, how can Inter not be exciting to watch?
Lyon, on the other hand, aren’t a team to write off as well. Not after beating last year’s Primeira Liga runners-up Benfica in a thrilling five-goal contest.
Bruno Genesio’s charges led by two goals but saw their advantage disappear after a spirited second-half fightback from the Portuguese side. When the SBOBET odds on a Lyon victory seemed to be collapsing, however, the Ligue 1 juggernauts showed their composure and winning mentality with a late decider from Martin Terrier.
Mercurial Dutchman Memphis Depay was pivotal for Lyon in their victory over Benfica, and Genesio will surely expect him to maintain his excellent form when they take on Inter Milan as they try to stay unscathed in the International Champions Cup.
History
The previous Inter Milan-Lyon results show that the two teams have equally split their three meetings with one win each and a draw. Interestingly, the last time they met was in the ICC China leg last year, with Inter coming out as 1-0 winners through a Stevan Jovetic goal.
It was a different time now though, especially with Jovetic gone and Joao Mario—the assist provider in the game—still on extended holiday after his World Cup 2018 exploits with the Portuguese national team.
Not to mention that Lyon still didn’t have Depay that time. For everyone who doesn’t know, the former Manchester United winger led Lyon in goals and assists last season, bagging 19 goals and 13 assists in Ligue 1—the same tally as Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar.
The other two previous encounters between them happened in the Champions League way back in 2002, Lyon winning with a 5-4 aggregated.
What are the odds?
SBOBET’s Inter Milan vs Lyon betting odds have the Italian side as slight favourites with 1X2 @ 2.29, with Lyon a little bit behind at 2.81 and the draw at 3.45.
Their meeting is expected to be a close affair though, and our odds suggest there won’t be much separation between them in the first half. While Milan are more likely to be ahead by halftime, a draw in the first half is the most probable result at 2.13.
Goals should come too, especially with Total Goal 2-3 paying at 1.90 and Over 2.75 @ 1.88. Furthermore, Total Goal 4-6 isn’t far-fetched at 2.77.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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