FOOTBALL BETTING: Live On ITV1: Weds 19:45
Wednesday’s Champions League blockbuster sees Inter Milan take a 3-1 lead to Barcelona, an advantage Chris Hutcheon reckons they’ll hold.
Inter carry a two-goal lead into their Champions League semi-final second-leg at the Nou Camp and given the attacking prowess of hosts Barcelona, Jose Mourinho’s side may be grateful of that cushion when the issues are settled.
Needing to attack, Barca have to be considered favourites to win the match itself, Totesport making them 2/5, however, Pep Guardiola’s men may have to settle for a victory by a one-goal margin (3/1, Ladbrokes) and subsequently, at 4/6 with Victor Chandler, the Serie A leaders look set to deny their La Liga counterparts a final appearance at the home of their domestic rivals Real Madrid.
Once again, shackling Lionel Messi will be Mourinho’s aim but although his Inter team managed to do that on home soil, Barcelona had enough to get on the scoresheet so it’s not just about the Argentine winger.
Subsequently, the man that grabbed that goal, Pedro, is worth considering at 6/1 with Ladbrokes to open the scoring and at 7/4 (bet365) to find the net but it may once again be in vain for the defending champions who are a chunky 9/1 at Betdaq to manage the game’s only goal.
Bookies meanwhile, seem to be sensing a match total of three or more goals; Stan James posting 8/15 against that tally but with Inter likely to be set up to keep things tight and frustrate their hosts; shrewd punters might tackle Paddy Power’s 6/4 for the fixture to produce fewer than 2.5 successful strikes.
Compare Champions League odds and bet at the best prices
