Manchester City vs Inter Prediction & Betting Tips (18 September)

For several seasons, Manchester City has continued to impose its supremacy and accumulate trophies. On the European scene, the Skyblues reached a peak by winning their very first Champions League in 2023. In the Premier League, their domination is undeniable with 6 titles gleaned over the last 7 seasons. Last season, the Cityzens were crowned champions of England for the 4th year in a row, despite constant pressure from Arsenal, who finished just 2 points behind. Before the start of the championship, Pep Guardiola's men beat Manchester United in a contested Community Shield 1-1, winning on penalties. This season in the PL, Manchester City are favorites again and started strongly with victories against Chelsea 0-2, Ipswich 4-1 and West Ham 1-3 in the first 3 days.

Inter flew over the Serie A last season, finishing almost 20 points ahead of runner-up and neighbor AC Milan. The Interists, on the other hand, disappointed in C1, eliminated in the round of 16 by Atlético Madrid. After a mixed preparation, with logical successes against the modest formations of Lugano, Pergolettese and Las Palmas, it was more complicated against Pisa 1-1, Chelsea 1-1 and especially Al-Ittihad defeat 0-2. And these weaknesses were confirmed during J1, with this disappointing draw against Genoa 2-2. But things have been better since then with two successes without conceding a single goal against Lecce 2-0 and Atalanta 4-0. 

Manchester City must win to cope without promising winger Bobb, who is still injured. In addition, doubt remains over the availability of England international Phil Foden (ill). Rodri, pillar of the midfield, should make his debut this season with the Skyblues after a remarkable Euro with Spain. Erling Haaland (7 league goals) started strong and struck a breakthrough with a hat-trick in the last match. City has a positive balance on the transfer market, notably thanks to the departures of Julian Alvarez (Atlético Madrid) and defenders Cancelo (Al-Hilal) and Harwood-Bellis (Southampton). At the same time, several rotation players such as Sergio Gomez (Real Sociedad), Doyle (Wolverhampton), Kaboré (Benfica), Couto (Dortmund), Phillips (Ipswich) and Perrone (Como) have also left the club. Furthermore, Gündogan returns after a season at Barcelona, ​​and explosive Brazilian winger Savinho (Troyes/Girona) joins the team. Out injured against Germany in the Nations League, Aké could be forced to remain in treatment for this first day.

Inter will be able to count on the return of its captain Lautaro Martinez, top scorer in Serie A last season, as well as as central defender Stefan de Vrij, in great form after an excellent Euro. The only absentee, replacement winger Buchanan is still in the infirmary. Marcus Thuram, who scored twice on the first day, should be lined up from the start. Hakan Calhanoglou, scorer in the last match, could occupy the midfield alongside Barella and Mkhitaryan. This summer, Inter only lost secondary players, such as defenders Cuadrado (Atalanta), Zanotti (Lugano) and Franco Carboni (River Plate), as well as midfielders Agoumé (Sevilla FC), Oristanio (Venice), Klaassen (free), Sensi (Monza) and Valentin Carboni (OM), and the attackers Sanchez (Udinese) and Satriano (Lens). In terms of arrivals, goalkeeper Martinez (Genoa), midfielder Zielinski (Naples) and center forward Taremi (Porto) have joined the squad, in addition to the permanent transfers of Carlos Augusto, Frattesi and Arnautovic, on loan last season.