The first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League Round of 16 between Feyenoord (Netherlands) and Inter (Italy) will take place on March 5 at the Feyenoord Stadium in Rotterdam. Feyenoord vs. Inter: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Feyenoord
The Dutch side faced Milan in the previous round and emerged victorious over two legs. Feyenoord first won 1-0 at home and then held on for a draw (1-1) away, maintaining a positive record in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, the team has been prolific in front of goal, with a scoring streak of nine matches in this tournament. However, it should be noted that Feyenoord has conceded 23 goals in the current Champions League campaign – the most among the Round of 16 participants.
- The club has won in regular time in 6 of their last 9 home matches in the Champions League.
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 6 of the team's last 7 home games in this tournament.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 7 of Feyenoord's last 9 Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Feyenoord (4-3-3)
Timon Wellenreuther – Quilindschy Hartman, David Hancko, Thomas Beelen, Gijs Smal – Hugo Bueno, Anthony Milambo, Jakub Moder – Anis Hadj-Moussa, Julian Carranza, Igor Paixao.
Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, defenders Gernot Trauner and Jordan Lotomba, midfielders Quinten Timber, Hwang In-beom, Bart Nieuwkoop, Ramiz Zerrouki, and Chris-Kevin Ndaye, as well as forward Ayase Ueda, will miss out due to injuries. Defender Givairo Read is suspended. It is noteworthy that the club appointed Robin van Persie as head coach before this match.
Inter
Simone Inzaghi's side did not participate in the playoff matches, and in the last round of the group stage, Inter confidently defeated Monaco at home (3-0). This victory was the club's sixth in their last seven Champions League matches. Furthermore, the Italians won by a large margin for the second time in this tournament. As a result, the team secured fourth place in the group standings and advanced directly to the Round of 16. Notably, Inter has conceded only one goal in the current Champions League campaign – the best record among all participants.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League (3 wins, 3 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 9 of the team's last 11 away games in this tournament.
- The Italians have conceded a maximum of one goal in regular time in 8 of their last 10 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Inter (3-5-2)
Josep Martinez – Yann-Aurel Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni – Benjamin Pavard, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Denzel Dumfries – Lautaro Martinez, Joaquin Correa.
First-choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer, defenders Matteo Darmian, Federico Dimarco, and Carlos Augusto, as well as midfielder Nicola Zalewski, will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Espen Eskås (Norway)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 11%.
Feyenoord vs. Inter: Match Prediction
At home, the Dutch club tends to play boldly and spends as much time as possible in attack. This approach often results in goals: in their last 10 home matches in the Champions League, Feyenoord players have failed to score only once. However, the club's defense often makes costly mistakes: in 10 of their last 13 home games in this tournament, the Dutch have conceded, and in seven of those instances, at least twice.
Inter rarely struggles to break down opponents' defenses and even scores regularly on the road: in their last 9 away Champions League matches, the team has left the field without scoring only twice. Additionally, I note the club's high scoring rate in the current Serie A season: Simone Inzaghi's side has scored 59 goals, matching the best in the league.
I expect goals from both sides in this encounter. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
