The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 goes on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, when Inter host Porto for the first leg at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, so let’s take a closer look to get you the best betting pick and odds.
Inter – Porto Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds (22.2.2023)
Both Inter and Porto are considered long shots to win the UEFA Champions League. Inter sit at 34.00 odds to become European champions, and Porto are huge 101.00 underdogs to lift the famous trophy. Whoever gets to the quarterfinals will be pleased, and this certainly is one of the most unpredictable matchups of the Round of 16.
Inter vs. Porto: Initial Situation
Inter finished the group phase at the second spot in Group C with ten points (W3, D1, L2) and a 10:7 goal difference. The Nerazzurri went unbeaten in two games against Barcelona and left Blaugrana behind them in the standings. On the other side, Porto topped Group B ahead of Club Brugge, Bayer Leverkusen, and Atletico Madrid, finishing with 12 points (W4, L2) and a 12:7 goal difference.
Inter Stats & Form
The Nerazzurri beat Udinese 3-1 at home this past Saturday to bounce back from a disappointing goalless draw against Sampdoria on the road. It was their third win in four Serie A games, but the Nerazzurri are still far away from Napoli, who are leading the Italian top tier. Inter have also won four of its last five home contests in all competitions along with a 1-0 defeat against Empoli.
Strikers Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko lead the way for Inter in 2022-23, combining for 27 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. Midfielder Nicolo Barella has six goals and seven assists on his season tally, and fellow midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has recorded six dishes and three goals. Forward Joaquin Correa (three goals and three assists) won’t play Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.
Porto Stats & Form
The Dragons are rolling on a ten-game winning streak in all competitions. Last Saturday, they outlasted Rio Ave 1-0 as massive 1.17 home favorites. The Dragons have also won five consecutive games away from home and are undefeated on the road since a 2-1 loss against Atletico Madrid back in September.
Striker Mehdi Taremi is the team’s leading scorer with 20 goals and 11 assists in 34 appearances this season. Winger Galeno has scored 14 goals in 36 apps, while midfielder Otavio has accounted for ten assists in 28 games. Both Galeno and Otavio are questionable to play against Inter due to injuries, while striker Evanilson (eight goals and nine dishes) is listed as doubtful.
Inter – Porto: Head-to-Head
The Nerazzurri and Dragons lock horns for the first time since 2006. Inter have won three of their previous four contests against Porto, who have won the other one.
Inter – Porto Odds
The hosts are 1.75 favorites on Unibet Sportsbook mostly because the visitors have some serious injury problems. The bookmakers don’t expect a high-scoring affair, setting the odds on the Over 2.5 Goals around 2.10, while Both Teams to Score YES pays 2.00 at bet365 Sportsbook.
Betting tip and prediction: Inter – Porto (22.2.2023)
I’m expecting to see a tight, low-scoring affair at Stadio Guiseppe Meazza. Both managers prefer to play cautiously, and with 90 minutes more to play in the second leg, I assume both teams will be patient and take things slowly in the first leg in Italy. The Dragons have only allowed one goal over their last eight games overall, and four of Inter’s previous six matches have seen less than three goals on the scoreboard. Hereof, I’m taking the Under 2.5 Goals at 1.76 odds on Unibet Sportsbook.