Inter host Frankfurt at San Siro for a place in the Quarter Final of the Europa League with the tie currently level at 0-0.
The 1st leg tie in Frankfurt ended 0-0 in a game where Inter had a penalty and Frankfurt created multiple chances. However neither team took their opportunities and now we’re set for a very interesting 2nd leg tie with everything still to play for.
Inter have been showing some inconsistent form lately winning just 1 of last 4 games although they have picked up a decent draw against Frankfurt and beat Spal 2-0 at the weekend, overall Inter still got ways to go to get to the level that they need to be at.
Frankfurt are playing some exceptional football going unbeaten in 11 in a row although drawing 6 of those games which mainly came at the start of this unbeaten run as they’ve actually won 4 of last 5 with the draw against Inter in between. In the 4 wins during this 5 game stretch, Frankfurt scored 13 goals and are coming off a good 0-3 win against Dusseldorf thus making them a very dangerous team.
One thing Inter got going here is the fact that they’re at home in San Siro where they’ve only lost 2 games in 90 mins all season long. Inter have already had some good European results such as a 2-1 win against Tottenham and a 1-1 draw against Barcelona. Inter have currently won 3 in a row at home so playing in front of their fans during a big European night is going to be a massive advantage for the Italian side.
Frankfurt are an up and down side when they get on their travels. Lately they have played well away from home going unbeaten in 5 including picking up back to back 0-3 wins at Hannover and Dusseldorf. They’re not an amazing away side, but can get a result on their day and shouldn’t be underestimated here for example in Europe we’ve already seen them win at Marseille and they’ve beaten another Italian side in Lazio away from home too which are very impressive wins.
With Icardi likely out again, Inter’s key man has to be Ivan Perisic. The dangerous winger has had many big games throughout his career and knows what it takes to deliver on the big stage. You’d also have to say Lautaro Martinez will have to step it up for them in Icardi’s place up front assuming he starts.
Luka Jovic is of course the man to watch from Frankfurt as the clinical striker has been scoring goals for fun it seems this season with 21 already this year including 6 in the Europa League. If Frankfurt want to advance, he’ll likely be the one to deliver it for them up front.
Inter and Frankfurt don’t have any recent meetings in San Siro, the meeting in Germany was the first between the sides so there isn’t much familiarity with these sides other than last weeks meeting.
Inter are tipped slight bookies favourites to win in 90 mins at 2.30 while Frankfurt are offered at 3.25 with Draw tipped at 3.35. However, Frankfurt are the favourites to advance at 1.73 with Inter offered at 2.10. Not conceding an away goal is definitely an advantage for Frankfurt and if they were to score Inter would need multiple goals so you can see why Frankfurt are the slight favourites to go through. Overall there really isn’t much that separates these sides which is why it’s so evenly tipped. Odds based on TonyBet.
Team News
Inter Milan: Mauro Icardi is expected to continue to be out for Milan. Furthermore, Radja Nainggolan and Sime Vrsaljko are both out but Matias Vecino will return after being suspended in the 1st leg.
Frankfurt: Ante Rebic is likely to be out for Frankfurt which is a big blow for them in the attack losing the creative winger. Timothy Chandler, David Abraham and Lucas Torro are the other absentees.
Betting Stats (UEL Based)
*Inter’s Champions League stats will be included to give a clearer understanding on how they get on in Europe at San Siro as 3 of their home European games were played in CL this season.
Inter have covered 50% of their total goal overs at home in Europe this season (2-2).
Inter have covered just 25% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in Europe this season (1-3).
Inter average 2.25 bookings per game at home in Europe this season (9 bookings in 4 games).
Mauro Icardi’s is Inters top scorer with 3 home goals in Europe this season, however with him likely out the next top scorer at San Siro in Europe is Matias Vecino with 2 home European goals.
Inter have covered 75% of their Handicaps at home in Europe this season (3-1).
Inter have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in UEL this season (2-1-1).
Frankfurt have covered 75% of their total goal overs away from home in UEL this season (3-1).
However, Frankfurt only covered 25% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in UEL this season (1-1-2). Tend to get more explosive in the 2nd half.
Frankfurt average 3.25 bookings away from home in the UEL this season (13 bookings in 4 games).
Jovic, Gacinovic and Haller are Frankfurt’s top scorers away from home in the UEL this season with 2 away European goals each this season.
Frankfurt have covered 100% of their Handicaps away from home in the UEL this season (4-0).
Frankfurt have covered 75% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the UEL this season (3-1).
KICK OFF – 14th March 2019 – 8pm UK Time
