Schalke 04 v Inter Milan Betting Odds – Wednesday, April 13th
Schalke to win: 17/10 at Totesport
Draw: 28/11 at Bwin
Inter to win: 7/4 at Victor Chandler
Remarkable how open three of the first leg quarter final matches in the Champions League were. German side Schalke were running riot in the second half at the San Siro, as they netted three crucial goals in their quest to face either Chelsea or Manchester United in this year’s semi final. Spanish goal scoring legend Raul hit his 70th Champions League goal, as the German side fully punished ten man Inter. This was a great open game, with chances everywhere, but Schalke will have to defend their lead without the presence of top striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar who was hoping to be back from the injury which kept him out of the first leg, but he hasn’t made it. Not that the five goal Schalke really missed him on the night, and no doubt they will have to go through a lot of defensive work on Wednesday night. Schalke changed manager because of their less than impressive form in the German Bundesliga, where they are still nothing more than an average side at best. However, it looks as if they have managed to save their best for the Champions League, winning their group stage ahead of stalwarts Lyon and then seeing off Valencia in the last sixteen. The Germans are telling themselves to be wary here, but they dominated enough of the first leg to back them doing the same. Schalke are missing a couple of strikers, but the experience of Raul should lead the line well. They just need to stay composed and not suffer the same fate as Bayern Munich did against Inter in the last round.
The task ahead for Inter really is a major one, as the Italians will have to win by four clear goals. While that is very unlikely, Inter scrapped through in the last round after losing the first leg at home to Bayern Munich. They went to Germany and really had a good go at Bayern, and with a late show they won through. They only had a 2-1 deficit to overcome then, and a 5-2 deficit looks beyond them. The defending Champions just have not shown the defensive prowess which they had under Jose Mourinho when they won it last year, and they have lost four times now in this year’s campaign, going down to Spurs and Werder Bremen in the group stage, and losing their home first legs against Bayern and now Schalke. Somehow they have just managed to keep a grip on their Champions League status, but it really should come to an end on Wednesday night. Inter will take Wesley Sneijder with them, who has been having problems with the flu, and for the first time in around six months, defender Walter Samuel will be back in the squad. Centre half Lucio will also be back to bolster the back line. Inter’s defence gave away far too many chances in the first leg, and they just couldn’t cope with Schalke coming at them with pace and power from all angles. But it is solely up front where Inter need to concentrate, as they need to bury a hatful of away goals themselves to try and get themselves through. Inter do have goals in them, especially if they go brave and throw the kitchen sink at the Germans, with Samuel Eto’o leading the line.
Schalke 04 v Inter Milan Betting Tip: Well, no reason why Inter can’t win this match really, especially if they put out a stronger defence, which the appearance of Lucio should immediately enhance. It is take your pick here as there is positive value in taking both teams as outright winners. Two big away comebacks is probably a lot to ask of them though, as that is only twice now in Champions League history that a team has progressed having lost their first leg at home. This is a bigger task for the Italians now, and while they may win, it’s not going to be enough. Back either team to win for value, so would go with Diego Milito Anytime Scorer for 2/1 to top up your betting.
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