Manchester City have the opportunity to complete their best-ever season when they take on Inter Milan in Sunday’s Champions League Final.
City were denied a place in last year’s final by eventual winners Real Madrid, but after destroying that club in this year’s semis, they will start clear favourites in Istanbul.
It has been more than a decade since Inter last appeared in a Champions League Final, and while betting would have you believe they are little chance of winning, there is no doubt they will relish their underdog status.
At publish, Manchester City are up at Champions League odds of $1.45, while there’s $6.75 about Inter and $4.40 for a draw after 90 minutes of play.
Manchester City
With an unprecedented treble on the table, City are in their best-ever position to win the Champions League this season.
Having topped Group G with four wins and two draws, City progressed to an 8-1 aggregate win over Red Bull Leipzig in the Round of 16, before beating Bayern 4-1 in the Quarters.
A 5-1 series win over reigning champions Real Madrid well and truly put the writing on the wall, however, and anything close to their best would probably be good enough for City just to win the Champions League.
Inter Milan
Inter’s last appearance in a Champions League Final was also converted into a victory over Bayern Munich back in 2010, and they’ll be eager to convert their season into more silverware.
Having snuck out of Group C, second behind Bayern Munich with a record of three wins, a draw and two losses, Inter really have come on as the stakes have been raised, ending the hopes of Portuguese giants Porto and Benfica respectively, before beating bitter rivals AC Milan 3-0 on aggregate in the Semis.
Nothing is expected of Inter, and there’s undoubtedly where they will do their best work. Will it be good enough to topple City, though? Only time will tell.
Champions League Tips
For the sake of transparency, I am a Manchester City fan.
That being said, they truly have gone to another level this season, thanks largely to the injection of Erling Haaland, who has been nothing short of astronomical in all competitions.
My best bet in the Champions League Final is Haaland to score the first goal ($3.10), but I’m also confident that Inter can get on the board, via former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko has wound back the clock since joining Inter and boy, would it add some intrigue if he did manage to find the back of the net in this clash.
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.70
Back City to Win NOT to Nil @ $3.10
Back Erling Haaland to Score the 1st Goal @ $3.10
Back Edin Dzeko to Score a Goal at Anytime @ $4.50