Inter Milan are the big favourites to progress against Ukrainian powerhouses Shakhtar Donetsk on Monday at 20:00. However, our football trader Jason Murphy thinks a shock might be on the cards. Check out his tips below and be sure to take a look at his PPTV preview video for the full low down.
Inter vs Shakhtar preview
Shakhtar are no pushovers. If you look at the Champions League group that Shakhtar Donetsk got knocked out of, it contained Atalanta and Man City. We all know how good City are and a lot of people now realise how good that Atalanta team is after they nearly did a job on PSG last week.
They actually drew with Man City away in Manchester, so they’re very, very good. They did a job on Wolfsburg and finished the tie very well, 3-0 in the second leg. They’re just a really, really good attacking team. It’s a very strong, solid Ukrainian defence with Brazilian flair and firepower going forward.
I’d be interested to see how that matches up against this Inter backline. We know Diego Godin is a fantastic defender, but how he deals with this Shakhtar pace breaking against him is going to be really interesting to watch.
We know Inter Milan have been very good this season and have been improving constantly under Antonio Conte. Conte is a winner. If you were looking at a Serie A outright bet next season, Juventus tend to open up at short prices, I think Inter might offer a bit of value there so keep an eye on that market in the next week or two.
Shakhtar to qualify
But for this game I actually think Inter are a bit short and Shakhtar to qualify is the value bet. Inter, you might look at the Getafe result, see that they won 2-0, but actually Getafe missed a penalty in that game and had plenty of chances. It hasn’t been as plain sailing as you might think for Inter Milan and therefore Shakhtar are just a little bit of value here.
Romelu Lukaku to Score First
Romelu Lukaku’s been phenomenal. He’s been doing a lot of damage to us! He’s so popular with punters and he’s been scoring goals in Serie A this season. He has a fantastic record. He’s actually scored in nine consecutive Europa League matches which is a record and I won’t put off anyone backing him.
Junior Moraes To Score First
If you’re looking down the Shakhtar route, I tipped him up during the week, Junior Moraes. He’s the Brazilian-born Ukrainian international. He played for the Ukrainian national team, he got capped last year after playing in Ukraine since about 2012. He’s played for a couple of different clubs but since he’s come to Shakhtar he’s got 39 league goals in his last 54 league games and scored in his last three Europa League matches.
What I really like about him, if you look at the two goals he got against Wolfsburg, he’s a small man but it’s what you’d expect, nippy, fast, round the keeper, slotting it away. But the goal he got during the week against Basel, it was a header from a corner. Ok, the ball was probably only about hip high but he got in there and got his head on it. So, he carries a threat in all areas and against the likes of Diego Godin, if Shakhtar do break with pace, and work the ball to Moraes, I fancy him to take it.
Tips for Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk on Monday at 20:00
Shakhtar to qualify
Romelu Lukaku to Score First
Junior Moraes To Score First
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