Champions League. Quarter Finals. 1st Leg.

AC MILAN vs INTER MILAN

It has been quite some time since CL was played and this week, we are entering the 1st Leg of Quarters.

Honestly speaking, I think AC Milan is a very likely candidate to win the Champions League. Most of their players, are in no short of quality and in very good form. Team work... checked. Just look at the way they tear defence to pieces, effortless at home.

Tonight, might be a different story though. Other than being a CL match, its also a derby match-up. Inter Milan, much as they have not been garnering much wins, have not been losing a lot too. They simply draw a lot. Most of the time, in ISA, they are unable to convert their dominance into goals and wins. Adriano is slowly gaining form in front of goal, however he may not be playing. So is Vieri, their old-time crucial frontline proacher.

Based on history and paper, it should be a very tight match. Opening handicap should be either AC giving 1/4 with high odds, or level ball with low odds for home.
On the bookmaker side, as of right now, a good 6 hours before the match. In the Asian Handicap market, AC is giving 1/4 to Inter. Odds on AsianBookie for home is 1.80, Ladbrokes is 1.76. Very low odds, an indication of the market's confidence that AC Milan will hump Inter Milan for this leg.

I on the other hand, has learned not to side the market too much. I will side with Inter Milan to put up a good defence and pin AC to at least a draw before the 2nd leg. I'm expecting to see AC piling on the pressure in the offence department tonight and Inter to try to neutralise it. It will be a good game and can swing either side.

I'm in with Inter Milan, at a 1/4 ball handicap. Minimum stakes on though.

Other instintive picks : Chelsea vs Bayern Munich. Pick Bayern Munich at +1/2 advantage.