This week we reach the third matchday in the Champions League and once this is completed, we will be halfway through the group stage of the tournament, all in the space of three weeks. As such, with a third of games already played it is a crunch time for teams as they seek to qualify for the knockout phase in the new year and two of European football’s biggest names face a crunch tie on Tuesday evening.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan were the two favourites to qualify from Group B in the tournament. Two of the biggest names in European football history, they were expected to lead the way in the group that also featured Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, after two draws, Inter lie third in the group, while Real Madrid lie bottom of the table after picking up just one point from their opening two games against supposedly the two weaker teams in the group. It all points to two massive games between these two massive sides in the next couple of matchdays and it begins this week in Madrid on Tuesday night.
If you would love to sign up with a betting site to enjoy a wager on the massive game in Madrid this week, which could have dramatic repercussions for both sides’ Champions League hopes, then you will want to sign up with a site that has a great value promotion on offer for new customers and fortunately, the current bet365 New Player Bonus is a perfect place to start.
Bet365 Sport Open Account Offer
Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Not only do you get a fantastic value bonus of up to £100 in bet credits once you start wagering on the site, but you can also access a myriad of other promotions, bonuses and features including In Play betting, free Live Streaming (with a credit balance or if you have made a bet in the preceding 24-hours), Virtual Sports and esports betting as well as access to all the other bet365 sites from a single log in.
If you live in a part of the world that offers Champions League betting, but you can’t access bet365 Sport, then what options are available to you? In Pennsylvania for example, you can access some great betting with the latest BetRivers Promo Code in that state. The same operator also offers a deal in Indiana too, but here you can use the BetRivers Affiliate Code “HOOSIERBONUS” to claim a great value deal that is only available to natives in the Hoosier state.
If you live in other states of the United States where betting is legal, then one option is the latest DraftKings Online Sportsbook service which is available in multiple states and which offers a fantastic range of sports betting markets, including Champions League football, as well as a selection of Fantasy Sports betting games too.
Let’s now take a look ahead to the clash between these two European giants on Tuesday.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan Preview
Group B Table
- Shakhtar Donetsk – 4 Points (For 3, Against 2)
- Borussia Monch. – 2 Points (For 4, Against 4)
- Inter Milan – 2 Points (For 2, Against 2)
- Real Madrid – 1 Point (For 4, Against 5)
Results
- Real Madrid 2-3 Shakhtar Donetsk
- Inter Milan 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
- Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Real Madrid
- Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 Inter Milan
As you can see, Group B has seen three draws out of four games, with just one win amongst those games, however that doesn’t tell half the drama of their group. In both their games Real Madrid were 3-0 and 2-0 down respectively, almost coming back in the first to claim a draw before manage to secure a very late draw in Germany against Borussia.
Inter also required a last minute equaliser at home to Borussia to claim a point from their opening game and the German side could easily have had six points had they been able to hold onto leads heading into the last minutes of their two games so far.
Shakhtar’s win at Real Madrid was all the more remarkable given that they had a number of first team players out however they led 3-0 at half time and held on despite a second half fightback from Real to clinch the standout result in the group so far.
Heading into the first of two games back to back, it is clear that whoever gets the best of things in the two games between Real Madrid and Inter Milan could well put themselves back in real contention in the group, while whoever comes off second best, may well be facing elimination from this competition at the Group Stage.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan
Although these two teams have not met recently (their last meeting came back in 1998), they do have a close history. In 15 games between the teams, Real have won six, Inter seven with just two draws in that time. Real have however scored the most goals (20 to Inter’s 19) however the home team has dominated this fixture in the past.
All six of Real’s wins have come on home soil, with just one defeat in those seven games. Inter have managed just one win in Spain and have won five of the seven games they have played between the two in Italy, drawing the other two. As such, history would tend to suggest that Real have the best chance of landing a win in this game on Tuesday.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan Team News
There is some positive team news for Real Madrid with Eden Hazard back from injury in the last couple of weeks and he could go straight into the team here, probably alongside Benzema and Asensio in attack. Other than that, with no players suspended, Real should be at near full-strength for this game.
Inter too should have a pretty full-strength squad to pick from, with Lukaku likely to be their main focal point in attack. The main doubt is right back Hakimi, but if he is out Darmian will likely deputise at the back.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan – Tips
Match Result – Real Madrid to win – 17/20
The return of Eden Hazard is a massive boost to Real in a game that they simply must win to stand any chance in this group at all. Hazard’s inventiveness and skill has been sorely lacking in Real’s games thus far and I think his inclusion should be enough for Real to get the win here. Back them to win outright at 17/20 with bet365.
In terms of the Correct Score, both these teams have had issues defensively and I can see both teams finding the net, however I do think that Real are the team that are likely to get the win and I can see them doing this by a scoreline of 2-1, which is a 15/2 shot with bet365.
Lastly, if you fancy an anytime goalscorer bet, then at 8/5, I would be tempted to bet on Eden Hazard scoring for the home side any time.