Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Spurs’ European campaign seemed to be over for this season at half-time in their recent outing against PSV but, as they come into this home fixture against Luciano Spalletti’s side, they may just be in position to take a front seat for Group B’s final qualification place. As long as they can win at Wembley tonight, ideally by a 1-0 scoreline or by more than a single goal, they’ll move ahead of their opponents on head-to-head record – and then face Barcelona, who are assured of first place, in the final game.
There’s no doubt that Inter represent a significant obstacle in their path. Despite a recent thumping defeat at Atalanta, the Nerazzurri have shown themselves to be a legitimate threat to even the best opposition this season. They also have Mauro Icardi in their ranks, a player who needs only half a chance to score, so they’ll need to keep their heads defensively for the full 90 minutes. Then again, Spurs just obliterated Chelsea’s unbeaten record in a hugely impressive 3-1 win at the weekend, so they’re not lacking confidence.
Tottenham vs Inter Milan Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Inter Milan
Last weekend saw Tottenham deliver a blistering performance to defeat Chelsea by a convincing 3-1 scoreline which could, in truth, have been much wider in margin. It’s no coincidence that this was achieved by a side resembling the strongest they can put out, all of whom are now showing something like their best form. With the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and of course Harry Kane all clicking, Spurs are capable of beating any opposition – and the smart money is on them to show that this evening at Inter’s expense. They will, however, need to be careful of Inter’s own attacking threat.
Our recommended tip: Spurs Win & BTTS
With Icardi, Lautaro Martinez and Ivan Perisic on one side, and the aforementioned quartet on the other, there is likely to be plenty of attacking verve on show. While both sides, at their best, are capable of neutralising opposition attacks, we’d still expect both to get on the scoresheet here. The fact that the game is at Wembley, and the marginally greater threat posed by Spurs’ talents, means we see the home side emerging with the three points, and very possibly with the two-goal margin that would put them in the box seat for the last 16 place.
Previous matches
These sides have a habit of bumping into one another in European competition – this will be their sixth meeting since 2010. Games between the two have tended to be high-scoring and won by the home team. Spurs won 3-1 in a Champions League group game in 2010, and 3-0 in 2013’s Europa League. The reverse fixtures for those ties respectively ended 4-3 and 4-1 to Inter – and most recently, Spurs travelled to Milan in mid-September.
On the night, Christian Eriksen gave the visitors the lead after 53 minutes; a lead they held until five minutes from the end when Icardi found an equaliser. Then, to pile on the pain for Spurs, Matias Vecino notched a winner two minutes into time added on.
Top 3 Champions League Bookies
Players to watch: Eric Dier & Lautaro Martinez
We’ve already mentioned four players who can deliver goals and assists for Spurs, and with good reason – they’re among the most dangerous attacking units in Europe. However, much of Spurs’ effectiveness will rely on Dier, who takes a nominally defensive role at the base of their midfield. Trained in Portugal as a youth, the England international is a smart, economical passer of the ball whose control of the game’s tempo was arguably more impressive than the (brilliant) attacking quartet.
For Inter, all that can be said about Icardi has already been related a thousand times. His 21-year-old fellow Argentina international Martinez is less well-known on these shores but, if he performs as he can, that may begin to change. A former River Plate forward, Lautaro learned under the wing of another compatriot who hit the heights at the Giuseppe Meazza – Diego Milito. He clearly learned well – with an instinct for making the right run, allied to his natural pace, Lautaro Martinez is a name to remember.
