Both Real Madrid and Inter Milan are still getting acclimated to their new bosses, making it a perfect time for the two sides to run up against each other in the International Champions Cup in China.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Not surprisingly, Real Madrid is the comfortable favorite for betting purposes, knowing that Inter Milan is coming off of that disastrous eighth place finish last year in Serie A. The Galacticos are -150 moneyline favorites on this day, equating to be -1 ( +110 ) on the Asian Handicap.
The totals in all of these International Champions Cup matches continue to be relatively high. This one looks a little more like a traditional total of 2.5 ( over -130 ), though anyone who has watched these teams play domestically and in other competitive formats for the last few years knows that this is still a high number to try to beat.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think so, yes. We wanted to give him the chance to play and prove himself, and he has done well. I only need one goalkeeper in each match, and as long as I have one, I'm happy." – Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez when asked whether Jesus Navas would be his No. 1 goalie after Iker Casillas retired following this season
RECENT FORM
Real Madrid got off to a relatively disastrous start to the season here in China when it was beaten by AS Roma in penalties after a relatively lifeless 0-0 draw through 120 minutes. It was a match which had Spanish soccer fans up in arms, and it already put Benitez on the back foot defending his hiring.
From there though, Los Galacticos looked significantly stronger. Manchester City never had a chance against either the first squad or the second squad for Real, and the end result was a thorough 4-1 beating.
Inter Milan has yet to score a goal here in the International Champions Cup, a shocking statement considering the fact that the average match in this tournament has featured nearly four total goes. Then again, the team has held its own against two giants of the game, Bayern Munich and AC Milan. Both matches ended in 1-0 defeats for Inter.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Inter Milan might have won in penalties when these two teams met last year in this very same tournament in the United States, but this is a much different situation right now.
Roberto Mancini knows that he didn't bring his best side to China for this tournament. For all of the new signings that the team has made – the latest of which is set to be Stevan Jovetic – most have been left back in Milan, leaving a team which really isn't all that strong, especially at the front.
Real Madrid meanwhile, has seemed to figure some things out. Moving Cristiano Ronaldo to the middle of the attacking formation with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema more or less flanking him has really helped out this offense.
Add in the fact that new signees, Kiko Casilla and Danilo have been fantastic playing at the back, and you've got a Real Madrid team which is suddenly a heck of a lot deeper than it had been in years past. Not only is that going to bode well when the fixtures start to get tighter together on the schedule in La Liga, but it will also end up playing well in the International Champions Cup as well, where, for the most part, no one plays more than around 45-60 minutes.
Real Madrid 3, Inter Milan 0
The International Champions Cup lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with Real Madrid lined as a -150 moneyline favorite and a total of 2.5 ( over -130 ). Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Real Madrid and Inter Milan is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. ET at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, China. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
