:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61605473/1043149794.jpg.0.jpg)
Inter Milan have begun the congested fixture list of seven games in 23 days with a 100% record. Having beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Sampdoria with late goals, a 2-1 win over Fiorentina and a wonderful 2-0 win over Cagliari, Inter go into their second Champions’ League group stage game against PSV Eindhoven as favourites.
With Roma faltering to Real Madrid 3-0, Napoli being held to a 0-0 draw against Red Star Belgrade and Juventus beating Valencia 2-0, Inter Milan can go into the game with thoughts of being the inform Italian side going into the second match day.
The Nerazzurri made several changes for the game against Cagliari with Lautaro Martinez, Borja Valero and Dalbert all getting starts with Luciano Spalletti keeping one eye on the Champions League game in mid-week.
The Milan side started off well with an excellent finish from Martinez off Dalbert’s cross. Dalbert has under scrutiny since his arrival from Nice but he put in a good performance against the Islanders. Matteo Politano has grown in stature and confidence since his summer transfer and is quietly becoming a serious contender for Inter’s player of the season already. Another victory eases pressure off Spalletti whose side has recovered from a poor start to the season.
Inter Milan have recorded two victories against PSV Eindhoven in past Champions League seasons. With two wins and three goals against the Dutch champions, Inter will go into the game as favourites. But, PSV come into the game in scintillating form with their only loss in six games coming against Barcelona in match day one losing 4-0. Each of their previous five games include 3 or more goals scored including a 3-0 victory against Ajax and a 7-0 thrashing of Den Haag. Our Dutch opponents are not to be taken lightly.
Team News – Inter Milan
I suspect Luciano Spalletti to make very few changes going into the game against PSV Eindhoven. The Italian coach will be aiming for all three points and will play his strongest side and having finally found a winning formula. Our new found chemistry between the players is blossoming and he will not want to disrupt their rhythm. The team that started against Cagliari played valiantly but we should see the return of Mauro Icardi, Ivan Perišić, Kwadwo Asamoah and Marcelo Brozovic to the starting line-up. Matteo Politano should be rested with Keita Baldé or Lautaro Martinez starting at right wing. Expect Inter to come out in the 4-2-3-1 that they have been playing in lately which is proving to be successful after Spalletti tinkered with the formation.
Expected Lineup - 4-2-3-1: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Škriniar, Asamoah; Brozovic, Vecino; Keita, Nainggolan, Perišić; Icardi
Team News – PSV Eindhoven
PSV continue their impressive form of seven wins from seven games with a 23 goal difference. They beat NAC Breda 2-0 in impressive fashion over the weekend and once again look like the early favourites to retain the Eredivisie. PSV usually line up in a 4-3-3 formation which includes the influential Hirving Lozano and Luuk de Jong leading the line but I expect them to revert back to their 4-2-3-1 played against Barcelona and attack Inter using the pace and guile of the front three.
Expected Lineup - 4-2-3-1: Zoet; Dumfries, Schwaab, Viergever, Tasende; Rosario, Hendrix; Lozano, Pereiro, Bergwjin; de Jong
Prediction
With momentum on Inter Milan’s side, I would expect the team to go out and take three points against the Dutch Champions. I expect this game to have lots of goals. I will predict Inter to win it 3-2 with an 85th minute winner from Kwadwo Asamoah.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Match Info
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 3, 2018, 3 p.m. (East Coast time)
Location: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
TV/Streaming: In the U.S., the match will be live-streamed on Bleacher Report Live. In the U.K., the match is available on BBC Radio 5, BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 3. In Italy, the match is available to watch on Sky Calcio 2 and Sky Go Italia.
Click here to find out where how you can follow the match around the world.
What do you think? Post your comments below!