Inter – Real Sociedad : Preview & Prediction
The clash between Inter Milan and Real Sociedad, both already qualified for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), decides which of them will advance as group D winners. For the third consecutive season, the Nerazzurri have reached the knockout stages and could finish top of a UCL group for the first time since 2011-12, but to do so they must beat Real. Solid leaders of the Serie A (SA), Inter go into the match against the team from San Sebastian on the back of a formidable 13-match unbeaten run (G10, E3).
Simone Inzaghi’s side have lost just one official match this season, but that defeat came at the San Siro in September (INT 1-2 Sassuolo). That loss has not dampened their excellent recent home record; the Black-and-whites are on a four-game winning streak at home, the last three of which have been clean sheets, including a 4-0 win over Udinese on Saturday.
After the 1-1 draw with Inter on matchday one, and enjoying a superior goal difference, Real Sociedad need just a point to finish top of Group D. Imanol Alguacil’s side, on a seven-game unbeaten run (G5, E2), will not be satisfied with a draw and will be looking to improve on their poor record of one win in nine meetings against SA clubs (G1, E4, P4). It is worth noting, however, that that one win came against Inter in 1979.
With another success against the Milanese club, Real would complete a memorable UCL group stage after qualifying for the last 16 of the competition for the second time in their history (2003-04 and 2023-24). The Txuri-urdin side have won all their outings in the current edition of the competition, but will have to struggle to achieve a full house after losing three of their four previous visits to Italy (E1, P3).
Key battle: Hakan Çalhanoğlu has two goals and an assist in his last two games for Inter, and the Turkish midfielder has a goal and an assist in his last two appearances against Spanish clubs in the UCL. Between the sticks in the Blue and Whites’ goal will be Álex Remiro, who was a wall in Real’s win at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday. Remiro’s last two games in Italy have seen him score exactly two goals apiece.
Serie A highlight: Inter have opened the scoring in their last 13 home games in all competitions.
Inter – Real Sociedad : Betting Tips
Inter – Win Odds: 1.60
