Chelsea vs Inter Milan: Preview and Prediction

Published by William | Filed under Champions League, Football (aka soccer), Predictions, Previews

Click Here for a preview of the Chelsea vs Inter match on 3/16

Wednesday will see the Premiership and Serie A leaders Chelsea and Inter Milan pitted against each other at San Siro Stadium .

Follow the action as it unfolds with WSN’s Livescore!


2/21 15:00 GMT Chelsea at Inter Milan – Odds | Stats


In terms of football matchups, it doesn’t get much better than what we have in store this Wednesday evening. England’s top club Chelsea travel to Milan to take on Serie A’s 4-time defending Scudetto Champions Internazionale at the infamous San Siro Stadium in the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League fixture. Can Chelsea get the same type of result that rivals Manchester United got last week in the same stadium? Or will Jose Mourinho get the best of his former club?


Chelsea:


The most recent news from the Chelsea clubhouse has had very little to do with on-the-pitch matters as of late and whether or not it’s having an effect on their players still remains to be seen. The first problem was of course the infamous John Terry-Wayne Bridge scandal that was pretty much the talk of England for a good two weeks. Now, England international defender Ashley Cole, who has recently been sidelined with an ankle injury that may impede on his chances of featuring for the Three Lions in South Africa, has been alleged to have smuggled an American woman into his hotel room while on tour in Seattle last summer. This news comes right after Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay warned the club that any player who participated in events that may damage Chelsea’s reputation would be held liable for their actions. Just another negative string of negative headlines ahead of an important match for the Blues. The good news is that other than Cole, they will be almost at full strength as Yuri Zhirkov, Ricardo Carvalho, and Frank Lampard are expected to feature. Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa also may be fit to play but that is likely to be a game time decision.


Inter Milan:


Inter Milan comes into this match on a bit of a rough patch after drawing their previous 3 league matches. Jose Mourinho let his frustrations get the best of him this weekend in the club’s match against Sampdoria after making a “handcuffed” gesture to the referees that subsequently resulted in a 3 match ban for the Inter boss. However, he will surely have his emotions in tact as he understands the importance of the looming fixture with his former club. In injury news, keeper Julio Cesar is expected to be match fit in time for Wednesday’s match after getting in a car accident just outside San Siro on Sunday evening. Also expected to ready is Mario Ballotelli who is suffering from foot blisters.


Match Facts:


-Didier Drogba has netted 6 times in 5 appearances since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations


-Inter Milan has conceded only 1 goal in their previous 5 fixtures and held clean sheets in 8 of their last 12


-Inter has not lost at San Siro since 26 November 2008, a 1-0 loss to Panathinaikos in the Champions League group stage.


Prediction:


This match is certainly going to be exciting and to pick a clear cut favorite is no easy task. With Jose Mourinho having the inside track on his former club and with Inter being so good at home, I like the Italian champions to claim the first leg in a hard fought affair. However, don’t fret Londoners because Chelsea will be ready to advance on the return leg at Stamford Bridge.


Pick:


Chelsea 1 – 2 Inter Milan


Bet of the Match:


2.75 from ToteSport