Champions League Matchday 1 Picks: Manchester City vs. Inter Milan (Wednesday)
The Champions League is back in action! From Tuesday, Sept. 17 to Thursday, Sept. 19, all 36 competing teams will open up their league play phase. The league has shifted away from the old 32-team group stage, and this NBC Sports article dives into the new format.
But if you're just here for the bets, let's dive right into it. Here are my top three picks for Matchday 1 in the Champions League. And here’s a closer look at my prediction for Championship League Matchday 1 game: Manchester City vs. Inter Milan.
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Champions League Matchday 1 Predictions: Manchester City vs. Inter Milan
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Manchester City vs. Inter Milan
The marquee match on Wednesday pits Manchester City against Inter Milan. City's out to a perfect 4-0-0 start in the English Premier League, while Inter Milan is 2-2-0 in Italy's Serie A. This contest is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET from Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.
Pep Guardiola has his squad on the warpath already. They've gotten out to a perfect start in the PL, posting a +8 goal differential during the four-match span. The Citizens have logged multi-goal victories in three of those four contests. Individually, it's none other than Erling Haaland leading the way with nine domestic goals through the first four matches.
I was going to roll with Haaland as an anytime goalscorer, but that comes with a -145 price tag. If he's going to score, then it's likely that City will win the game. So, I think it makes more sense to just lay a goal with the home side at -130. City has dominated the group stage over the last two seasons, going 10-2-0 and out-scoring their opponents 32-9. While Inter Milan is a formidable foe, I think City's current form and home-pitch advantage will help guide them to a multi-goal win.
Bet: Manchester City -1.0 (-130)