Manchester City are once again favourites to win the Champions League, with the Sky Blues widely expected to top the new league phase.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Preview
Will Manchester City's perfect start to this season continue? On Saturday, despite conceding after just 22 seconds, the Citizens fought back from a goal down to beat Brentford 2-1 at home with Erling Braut Håland, who else, scoring both. That made it 13 successive Premier League victories for Pep Guardiola's team, and the first time in this sequence they hadn't won by a two-goal margin. In the Champions League meantime, the Sky Blues' title defence was heartbreakingly ended by Real Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout at the quarter-final stage last season, so they'll be desperate to go much further this time round. The new, elongated league phase should suit Man City's relentlessness, even with trips to Juventus and PSG to come, so most expect them to pick up three points on opening night.
Internazionale Milano though cannot be overlooked, desperate to exact some revenge for their defeat in the 2023 final, the only occasion these two have previously met. Since then, Simone Inzaghi's side have reclaimed the Scudetto, winning Serie A by a humungous 19-point margin last season, so came into this campaign with sky-high expectations. Well, thus far, I Nerazzurri's form has been mixed, winning twice and drawing twice, notably hammering Atalanta 4-0 at San Siro, although they then required a last-gasp equaliser from Denzel Dumfries to salvage a draw at Monza on Sunday. Thus, it would require a monumental upset for Inter to leave the Etihad with anything.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 1
- Manchester City Wins: 1. Draws: 0. Inter Milan Wins: 0.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan: Previous Meeting
- 10 June 2023 - Manchester City 1-0 Inter Milan.
Manchester City Form Guide: WWWW
- Manchester City 2-1 Brentford
- West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
- Manchester City 4-1 Ipswich Town
- Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City
Inter Milan Form Guide: DWWD
- Inter Milan 1-1 Monza
- Inter Milan 4-0 Atalanta
- Inter Milan 2-0 Lecce
- Genoa 2-2 Inter Milan
Manchester City Team News
Rodri is still yet to start a club match this season but, after coming on at half time at the weekend, is likely to be in the XI this time, building up his match-sharpness ahead of Arsenal's visit on Sunday. Phil Foden similarly hasn't featured since the opening day due to illness but, having been an unused substitute against Brentford, is likely to see some action here. Nathan Aké and Oscar Bobb are both sidelined long-term.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Inter Milan: (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Doku, Grealish; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Inter Milan
It's the obvious pick, but it has to be Erling Braut Håland. He's already scored nine goals in just four Premier League appearances this season while, in the Champions League, his career tally stands at 41 goals in just 39 appearances, a goal every 75 minutes on average.
Inter Milan Team News
Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Nicolò Barella are highly-likely to return in midfield for Simone Inzaghi's side, after both were left on the bench at the weekend. Similarly, scorer Denzel Dumfries will be back in at right-wing-back, with centre-backs Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi also returning to the side.
Inter Milan predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Bastoni, Acerbi; Dumfries, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Dimarco; Thuram, Martínez.
Inter Milan Players to Watch vs Manchester City
If Inter are going to cause Man City problems, they'll be reliant on their front two for goals. Marcus Thuram bagged a brace when they smashed Atalanta 4-0 last month, meaning he's scored four in four so far this season. Meanwhile, his strike partner Lautaro Martínez is still looking to get off the mark in this campaign, but did score 27 goals last season, picking up the Capocannoniere award.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Prediction
We're forecasting a rather subdued, controlled Manchester City win, with Pep Guardiola's team taking an unassailable lead early and then cruising to victory. If Man City get in front early, given that they face Arsenal at the weekend, while Inter have the small matter of a Derby della Madonnina, we can see a low-key, low-scoring second half as the tie peters to a conclusion: Manchester City 2-0 Inter Milan.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan FAQs - Champions League
How to watch Manchester City vs Inter Milan Champions League game on TV channel?
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1
- USA: CBS Golazo Network
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Manchester City vs Inter Milan Champions League game on live streaming?
Manchester City vs Inter Milan Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester City vs Inter Milan in the Champions League?
Manchester City vs Inter Milan takes place on Wednesday 18 September 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PDT).