Inter vs Real Sociedad prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-11 20:00.
Inter Milan and Real Sociedad have already advanced to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout stage from Group D, leaving only the top spot up for grabs. It’s the third season running that the Nerazzurri have booked a spot in the round of 16 and they can now top their UCL group for the first time since the 2011/12 season if they beat Sociedad – something a 13-game unbeaten competitive run (W10, D3) suggests the Serie A (SA) leaders should be confident of doing.
Simone Inzaghi’s men have lost only one competitive match this season but that came at the San Siro in September against Sassuolo. That should take nothing away from their home form overall which has peaked with four wins in a row, the last three of which came without reply, including a 4-0 victory over Udinese on Saturday.
After a 1-1 H2H draw on matchday one, and with a superior goal difference, all Sociedad need here to guarantee top spot is a draw. While that looks achievable considering their seven-game unbeaten sequence (W5, D2), a poor record of just one win in their nine games against SA teams (D4, L4) remains a hurdle for Imanol Alguacil’s side to overcome, although their lone success did come against Inter back in 1979.
Repeating that feat would make this UCL group campaign memorable, as La Real have already matched the feat of reaching the round of 16 on their debut in 2003/04. Sociedad have won their last two away UCL games to set themselves up for this trip, although three defeats on their four previous trips to Italy (D1) suggests that it’s going to be a tall order to come out on top here.
Key battle: Hakan Çalhanoğlu has two goals and an assist across his last two games for Inter and has a goal and assist in his last two UCL matches against Spanish opposition. Looking to halt him will be Sociedad’s ‘keeper Álex Remiro, whose last two visits to Italy have seen the games produce exactly two goals.
Hot streak: Inter have scored the opening match goal in their last 13 home games in all competitions.