Inter vs RB Leipzig prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-25 20:00.
[p]As one of six sides yet to lose a UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase game this season (W3, D1) and one of only two yet to concede, Inter Milan are enjoying their European campaign this term. Things are looking positive in all areas for Simone Inzaghi’s outfit after they thrashed Verona 5-0 on Saturday in Serie A with all the goals coming before half-time![/p]
[p]Ahead of a first-ever European meeting with RB Leipzig, they’re unbeaten in their last 11 UCL matches at home (W9, D2), nine of which were accompanied by a clean sheet. That ought to calm any nerves given the Nerazzurri’s miserable record of late against German opponents in the UCL (W3, D1, L7) including a 2-0 defeat here in September 2022 to Bayern Munich which remains their last UCL home loss.[/p]
[p]If they are to emulate that sort of performance, then a significant improvement is needed from Leipzig, who have lost all four of their league phase matches so far – including one against another Italian side in Juventus. Another defeat here would see them equal their longest ever losing run in the competition after they lost five in a row in 2021.[/p]
[p]Worryingly, three of their four European losses this term came after scoring first – no team has ever done so four times in one UCL campaign – and they did likewise in the Bundesliga on Saturday, losing 4-3 at Hoffenheim despite taking the lead three times! At least the Red Bulls have won their only two previous European games in Italy, 3-1 against Napoli in 2018 and 2-0 against Atalanta in 2022. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Marcus Thuram took his goal tally to ten for the season by netting twice for Inter against Verona – four of his last six goals arrived between the 20th and 40th minute. Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa has now directly contributed to seven goals in his last three matches for club and country (G4, A3), with two of those goals he scored arriving before the 20th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Leipzig’s last six UCL away games all saw both teams on the scoresheet (W2, D1, L3).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]