Champions League
2012-02-22 - Olympique Marseille vs Internazionale Milan
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
These two sides have already met before as in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup quarter-final, with the French team Lyon winning both legs 1-0.
And now Marseille will be hoping to make the most of Inter Milan's domestic problems when they clash in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League tonight.
Marseille knows that home advantage makes a lot of difference so they will want to make sure that they have one foot in the quarter-finals by the time they travel to Italy for the return leg.
Marseille is doing well in Ligue 1 as they are unbeaten in their last nine matches. However, Didier Deschamps is well too aware that they have failed to generate results on home soil in Europe.
And it was their form on the road that saw them through the group stage, with two defeats suffered in three outings at Stade Velodrome. Ironically, Marseille had kept four clean sheets in a row in front of their own supporters before slipping to consecutive 1-0 defeats.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan will want to take something from this match especially with qualification for next season's Champions League hanging in the balance.
As it is now, Inter have suffered four defeats in five to slip into seventh place in Serie A, six points adrift of the top four in the standings. They will be looking for a wake up call as their seaons is in danger of falling apart especially with six defeats in their last 11 Champions League outings does not look good for them.
However, Inter have fared better on their travels of late than they have at home and will be hoping for a change of fortunes here in the South of France.
Team News :
Marseille Team News :
Loic Remy will be the most notable absentee from the Marseille starting lineup as he is out with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile Alou Diarra misses out after picking up a toe injury in a 1-1 draw with Valenciennes on Saturday. Also out will be Stephane Mbia and Andre-Pierre Gignac to Deschamps with a thigh and adductor injury respectively.
Inter Team News :
Walter Samuel could be back in the side after sitting out the club's last two matches with a thigh strain. Meanwhile, Dejan Stankovic and Diego Milito are also available again after missing Inter's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bologna last Friday.
Predictions
Go for TOTAL Goals UNDER 2 1/2 here as it is likely to be a low scoring affair in this match.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Total Goals Under 2 1/2
BEST BETTING TIP :
Main Bet :Go for Total Goals Under 2 1/2 here as it is likely to be a low scoring affair.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Marseille and give the 1/4 ball. At worst be prepared to lose half the stake if it ends in a draw.
