Arguably the most anticipated tie in the Europa League R16 stage as Frankfurt host Inter Milan in Germany for the 1st leg!
Frankfurt this season have arguably been the best team in the competition with their amazing displays they have a 7W 1D 0L record and have been absolutely sensational at home in Europe destroying the likes of Lazio 4-1, Marseille 4-0, Shakhtar 4-1 also beat Apollon 2-0. Frankfurt have scored 23 goals in 8 games in the competition and have been truly unstoppable.
Inter have started their season in the Champions League where they completely messed it up blowing a 6 point lead to Tottenham for a place in the next round thus causing them to move down to Europa League where they dismantled Rapid Vienna 5-0 on aggregate with 0-1 and 4-0 wins.
Frankfurt are currently playing some solid football. They are undefeated in 9 games although they did draw 5 straight at one point, they have won 3 straight since and have been in great goal scoring form bagging 10 goals in these last 3 games. Frankfurt should feel a lot of confidence entering this tie.
Inter have not had a good 2019 so far and are entering this game on a reeling form. They’ve failed to win their last 2 games blowing a 2 goal lead to Fiorentina and then losing 2-1 to Cagliari which has dropped them from 3rd place in their league and despite their wins against Rapid Vienna, it really isn’t something to be going crazy about considering how much better Inter are. Overall, Inter are not on form and are likely lacking confidence which is where Frankfurt could take advantage of them.
Frankfurt are a very good home team. Bar a few poor results, they have normally been a very fun goal scoring side in front of their fans and have the capability to dismantle anyone on their day as we already mentioned before by just looking at their home European results.
Inter have been a shocking away side for their level. They’ve won just 3 of their last 11 away from home losing 5 and drawing 3 of those. This run of away form definitely doesn’t help their case for this 1st leg against a good home side in Frankfurt.
Luka Jovic is the man to watch from Frankfurt. The talented striker has had a fantastic season so far with 21 goals this season including 6 in 8 Europa League apps. Expect him to cause problems for the Inter defence.
With Icardi out, Inter are going to have to look elsewhere for a new talisman for them to deliver and the next main danger man would have to be Ivan Perisic. He’s been in decent form scoring 2 in his last 3 apps. Perisic is a very dangerous attacking player and has great experience in big games so expect him to show up with a big performance for Inter here.
Frankfurt are tipped as bookies favourites to win the 1st leg match at 2.30 while Inter are tipped as underdogs at 3.25 while draw is offered at 3.35. Inter are however tipped as slight favourites to advance to the next round at 1.70 while Frankfurt are offered at 2.20 to reach the Quarters. Odds based on Unibet
Team News
Frankfurt: Frankfurt don’t have many serious injury issues. Only injury that they have is Timothy Chandler who will be out. Otherwise expect Frankfurt to field a strong line-up.
Inter Milan: Sime Vrsaljko, Mauro Icardi and Keita Balde are all expected to be out.
Betting Stats (UEL Based)
*Inter’s stats will also include their CL stats to give a clearer understanding on how they do in Europe overall since they only played one away game in Europa League.
Frankfurt have covered 75% of their total goal overs at home this season in UEL (3-1).
Frankfurt have covered 100% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in UEL this season (4-0).
Frankfurt average 2.5 bookings per game at Home in UEL this season (10 bookings in 4 games).
Luka Jovic is Frankfurt’s top scorer at home with 4 home UEL goals this season, Haller also has scored a few with 3 at home in Europe this season for Frankfurt.
Frankfurt have covered 100% of their Handicaps at home in UEL this season (4-0).
Frankfurt have covered 100% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in UEL this season (4-0).
Inter have covered just 25% of their total goal overs away from home in European competition this season (1-3).
Inter have covered 25% of their 1st half total goal overs away from home in European competition this season (1-1-2).
Inter average 3 bookings per game away from home in European competition this season (12 bookings in 4 games).
Inter don’t have a lone top scorer in Europe away from home this season with Martinez, Nainggolan and Icardi who is out for this game the only ones scoring away European goals for Inter this season (1 goal each).
Inter have just covered 25% of their Handicaps away from home in European competition this season (1-1-2).
Inter have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in European competition this season (2-1-1).
KICK OFF - 7th March 2019 – 5:55pm UK Time
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