Champions League Final Tips: Betting Preview & Best Odds For Man City vs Inter Milan
The 2022/23 season will conclude this weekend, as Manchester City take on Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The are anticipating a one-sided affair, with Pep Guardiola’s side strong favourites to win the tournament for the first time.
This is only City’s second Champions League final. They were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in the 2021 showpiece and have continually fallen short in this competition throughout Guardiola’s tenure.
But after impressive knockout stage victories over RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the Premier League champions are potentially just 90 minutes away from European glory.
It is fair to say that few expected Inter to reach this stage of the competition back in August.
A tricky group phase draw saw them face Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen before Christmas, but Inter upset the odds to beat Barca to second spot.
They then overcame Porto, Benfica and Milan in the knockout rounds to advance to the Istanbul final.
Can Manchester City win the treble? Or will Inter be crowned continental champions for a fourth time?
Back City To Get The Job Done
Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid last term, but they have not always suffered elimination at the hands of European heavyweights.
Under Guardiola City have been sent packing by Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, all of whom finished below them in that year’s Premier League, plus Monaco and Lyon.
We cannot rule anything out on Saturday then, but City deserve their status as heavy favourites.
They have been in formidable form over the last few months, beating Arsenal to the Premier League title and then winning the FA Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United last weekend.
City have not been rock-solid of late, though: they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of their last 17 games across three competitions.
Inter pack a punch in attack, with Romelu Lukaku a handy option off the bench and Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko in line to start up top.
Both teams to score looks like a good option on - for best value, why not combine it with a Manchester City win?
Tip:Man City To Win And Both Teams To Score - 40/17 With 10Bet
Goals Galore Looks A Good Bet In The Champions League Final
Champions League finals tend to be low-scoring affairs, with the last three ending 1-0.
When the stakes are so high there is an incentive to be risk averse, which is why none of the last four finals have featured more than 2.5 goals.
We could be due a more goal-laden encounter this time around, as the odds on show.
City are not normally a team that plays within itself. In the FA Cup final last time out, it took them just 13 seconds to draw first blood against Manchester United.
They have also scored three goals or more against Arsenal (twice), Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in recent months.
If, as many people anticipate, City build up a healthy advantage, they will not necessarily choose to sit on that lead.
The chance to produce a statement performance and emphatic victory on the biggest stage of all in club football would surely prove too strong to resist.
And if things did not go to plan for Guardiola’s side, it will likely be because Inter have had some joy in the attacking third rather than the defensive one.
Tip:Over 2.5 Goals - 4/6 With Ladbrokes
Gundogan Could Replicate FA Cup Final Heroics
Ilkay Gundogan was Manchester City’s hero at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
His brilliant brace saw his team past their local rivals in what could be his final domestic appearance for the club, with his future still uncertain as we head into the summer.
Of course, Erling Haaland is the likeliest goalscorer this weekend - but that information has not escaped the attention of UK bookmakers.
The odds on a Haaland goal are not overly attractive, unlike the 4/1 on Gundogan making the net bulge.
The Germany international is in fine scoring form with six goals in his last six outings. In what could be the last time he pulls on a City shirt, back the club captain to make his mark.
Tip:Ilkay Gundogan To Score Any Time - 4/1 With Bet365
Inter Could Keep Final Ref Busy
Another player market worth exploring is the card one. Marcelo Brozovic, in particular, looks like a candidate to have his name taken be referee Szymon Marciniak.
The midfielder has been booked 13 times for club and country in 2022/23, and Inter will spend a lot of time out of possession on Saturday.
Simone Inzaghi will want to see Brozovic getting stuck in and the midfielder will no doubt oblige.
It might only take one mistimed tackle for him to end up in the book, though. Tip Brozovic to receive a yellow card in the Champions League final.
Tip:Marcelo Brozovic To Receive A Card - 5/4 With BoyleSports
