Inter Milan v Bayer Leverkusen Europa League predictions and free tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Inter v Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League quarter-finals on Monday.

When to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Monday

Best bet

Inter
1pt 23-20 Betway

Team news

Inter
Midfielder Matias Vecino is ruled out.

Bayer Leverkusen
Charles Aranguiz serves a one-game ban and Paulinho (knee) is out long-term. Nadiem Amiri is in quarantine.

Match preview

Inter have not lifted a major trophy since winning the Coppa Italia in 2011 but the are serious contenders in the Europa League and can advance to the semi-finals by defeating Bayer Leverkusen in Dusseldorf.

The Nerazzurri had hoped to end their nine-year trophy drought by winning the Scudetto but failed to build on a flying start to the season when they won their first six games but finished a point behind champions Juventus.

There were still positives to take for Inter, whose 82-point tally was the highest they had achieved since winning the league in 2009-10. But head coach Antonio Conte could not hide his frustration and lashed out after the final fixture - a 2-0 success at Atalanta - claiming he had sensed a lack of support from the club's hierarchy.

Those issues may resurface at a later date but Conte appears refocused and is putting all his energies into ensuring a positive end to the season.

Inter maintained their Europa League challenge with a 2-0 success over Getafe in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, much to the delight of Conte, who was full of praise for his players.

It was far from a vintage performance – Inter lost the shot count 17 to 12 – but goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was rarely troubled and Conte's side showed their quality in the decisive moments.

Romelu Lukaku continued a highly productive campaign, scoring his 30th goal of the season, and Christian Eriksen wrapped up the win shortly after coming off the bench in the 82nd minute.

The luxury of bringing on quality players like Eriksen and Alexis Sanchez, another of the second half substitutes, is something few other managers have.

But Inter's strength in depth is a hugely valuable resource and may come into play if Leverkusen put up stiff resistance.

The German outfit had a decent domestic campaign but were ultimately disappointed, finishing two points outside the top four and losing 4-2 to Bayern Munich in the German Cup final.

At their best they are an exciting outfit capable of big results, such as the 2-1 success at home to Atletico Madrid during the Champions League group stage.

But they often fail to hold on to star talent and their top league scorer – 12-goal attacking midfielder Kai Havertz – has been strongly linked with a summer switch to Chelsea.

Apart from Havertz, Leverkusen's attack is short of top quality and there is a lack of reliability at the back.

In ten European fixtures this season they have kept just two clean sheets, although one of them came last Thursday when they won 1-0 at home to Rangers, completing a 4-1 aggregate triumph.

Peter Bosz's side kept the Gers at bay with relative ease – allowing just four shots – but they are faced with a much tougher examination against Inter and are unlikely to pass the test.

Key stat

Inter have kept five successive clean sheets.

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