Expect action-packed encounter as Inter visit Spurs

Champions League Group B
BT Sport 3, 8pm Wednesday

Yet another dodgy Wembley pitch didn’t stop Tottenham and Chelsea producing a decent Premier League spectacle on Saturday night and more entertainment is on the cards tonight when Inter Milan are the visitors to the national stadium.

Uefa have grudgingly declared the Wembley playing surface “acceptable” going into Spurs’ penultimate Group B contest, one that they have to win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.

Maurizio Sarri is the latest manager to voice his dismay over the playing conditions at Tottenham’s temporary home, and not satisfied with dishing out criticism of Wembley he’s also been serving up advice to his compatriots.

The Chelsea gaffer has urged Inter to stay firm for half an hour tonight and they will be well on their way to clinching the point they need to guarantee their progress.

That’s easier said than done against a Spurs side who have no option but to throw everything at the Italians.

The pitch may not be the best but these two sides could well produce a decent affair which promises goals.

Harry Kane and Mauro Icardi are among the hottest shots in Europe’s big leagues and have already played their part in a group which has been full of goalmouth action.

The first eight matches in Group B have produced a grand total of 27 goals with every game producing at least two. There were plenty of chances when Inter and Spurs met for the first time in the San Siro in September, when the hosts come from behind to win 2-1.

And the drama has been going down to the wire with the eight fixtures having yielded 12 goals after the 75th minute.

There could well be some late fireworks since something has to give. Tottenham have to win or they are out, while if Inter are trailing they could themselves face dropping to third place in the group.

Given what’s happened before, expect goals and corners. Spurs are averaging 7.25 corners per game while Inter are averaging five and conceding an average of seven per match. The over 2.5 goals/over 9.5 corners double with bet365 works out at just under 6-4.

As for the match prices, Tottenham are odds-on following a run of five straight wins. They have lost five times this season – including in Milan – but are playing with the utmost confidence.

They are that much better when Christian Eriksen is fit and running the show, and know they will be up against a team who will be reluctant to take early risks. The reasons are obvious. Firstly, Inter are happy with the draw, secondly, Tottenham are sizzling on the break and will exploit any open spaces that Inter leave behind.

Spalletti will almost certainly line up with Matias Vecino and Marcelo Brozovic protecting the back four with his full-backs erring towards defending rather than attacking.

But Inter pose a threat. They have scored in 12 of their last 13 matches, were superb flattening Frosinone on Saturday and will be well aware that Tottenham have kept only five clean sheets in 19 matches.

Good enough to win 3-0 at Lazio last month, they are a dangerous team to write off at a fancy price.

Recommendation
Over nine corners & over 2 goals
1pt BetBuilder bet365

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

• Champions League Group B standings
• Premier League standings
• Serie A standings

Team news
Tottenham
Davinson Sanchez and Moussa Dembele are out. Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose are doubts.

Inter
Full-back Sime Vrsaljko is injured.

Key stat
Inter have scored in 12 of their last 13 matches.

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