Prediction and odds for the game: Inter (10/11) v Getafe (7/2)
We are backing the home win
When: Thursday 12th March 2020, Kick-off 6 PM
Where: The Giuseppe Meazza
On Thursday night, Inter host Getafe at the Giuseppe Meazza in the Europa League last-16 first leg. The game will be played behind close doors due to a serious outbreak of the coronavirus in Italy.
Inter
The Nerazzurri head into this clash on the back of a 2-0 defeat against reigning champions and league leaders Juventus. The defeat left Antonio Conte’s team nine points behind the Bianconeri with a game in-hand. With Serie A suspended until the beginning of April, Inter can fully concentrate their attention on this tie.
The home side are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition. However, they will know that their opponents will not be easily beaten.
The Nerazzurri have a good recent record in the Europa League, having won five of their last seven games dating back to 2016. The one loss in the run was a crucial 1-0 defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt at this stage of the competition, which saw them eliminated.
The Nerazzurri also have a good recent home record in European football’s secondary competition, winning four of their last five matches. Inter have also scored at least twice in three of their last four home matches in the competition.
Getafe
The visitors are enjoying a strong season at home and abroad. Jose Bordalas’ team are in the fight for the Champions League spots in La Liga and have turned themselves into a team that are so difficult to beat. However, the visitors have struggled for consistency of late.
Getafe’s main focus this season will no doubt be to secure a top-four finish in La Liga and a spot in Europe’s elite competition next season. Their resources will be stretched for the rest of the season.
The team from Spanish capital have a mixed record in this competition of late, as they have won three and lost three of their previous six matches in the Europa League. In the last-32 they picked up a famous win, knocking out Dutch giants Ajax 3-2 on aggregate. The team from Amsterdam, of course, made it to the Champions League semi-finals last season. Therefore, it was a big scalp for Getafe.
The visitors have won two of their last nine away games in the Europa League dating back to 2009. The fact that this game will be played behind closed doors could prove to be an advantage for the visitors.
Conclusion
Inter have not been at the top of their game of late, in any competition. However, we are backing the home side to record a narrow victory. Getafe are likely to be hard to break down, so we are also backing the under 2.5 goals scored.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 10/11 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/13. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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