Inter Milan v Rubin Kazan: Champions League Betting Preview

Champions League / Dave Farrar / 08 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

Jose Mourinho's side will go for the jugular at the San Siro

Inter will aim to settle their Champions League tie with Rubin Kazan early on, says Dave Farrar. But they might not have it all their own way and there could even be an upset on the cards at the San Siro.

Rubin Kazan have had a week-and-a-half to prepare for one of the biggest games in their history, and one of the questions that we have to ask ourselves as punters is whether this is a help or a hindrance.

Inter had to play a hotly contested Derby d'Italia on Saturday night, but does that put them at a physical disadvantage or make them more battle hardened? The fact remains that Inter should win against Rubin, as they have better players and week by week are playing a much higher standard of teams. And yet Inter's awful Champions League record in recent seasons doesn't lead you to support them with too much confidence, particularly not at [1.5] or thereabouts.

Both sides probably have to win at San Siro, with a 2-2 draw or better giving Rubin the edge on the head to head, but knowing that should this game end in a draw, then a Dynamo Kiev win over Barcelona would put both Inter and Rubin out. Given that it would be a huge risk for Jose Mourinho to play for a draw and hope that Barcelona don't lose, we can expect Inter to go for the jugular and try and settle the issue as early as possible.

With Rubin needing to score, logic leads to a speculative punt on over 2.5 goals at even money, even if Inter have managed to score only four goals in their last seven home Champions League games.

Rubin have scored twice away from home in Europe this season, and this talented and technically excellent side will certainly revel in the conditions in Milan. The pitch will be excellent and there won't be a snowstorm in sight.

They'll feel that they can get what they need to go through, and I think that their freshness will give them an edge over an Inter team that did look a little jaded in that game at Juventus. I think that Rubin will score, and, even though it won't be my biggest or most confident bet of the week, I'll take a punt that Rubin are good enough to cause an upset, and put Inter out of the competition that they most covet.

Recommendation:

Rubin Kazan to beat Inter Milan @ [8.0]
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ [2.06]