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“Lukaku is in playable, but Shakhtar has scored 14 goals in five games.”
More than 2.5 goals/BTTS doubles in [1.93] at the bookmaker
Lukaku leads the European glory rate
The ball rolled to Romelu Lukaku’s feet in the penalty area of Bayer Leverkusen. Edmond Tapsoba, hailed as one of the Bundesliga stars since January, is already looking to fight the Belgian before the ball arrives. Tapsoba is strong, but seeks to dispossess Lukaku as a mere mortal taking one of the Titans of mythology. Inter Milan striker resisted Tapsoba and controlled a shot past Lukas Hradecky and into the rear corner. That purpose turned out to be the winner for Inter in a deserved quarter-final victory, and it’s no wonder Lukaku is the hero again.
Defying skeptics, memes and the shadow of keyboard warriors in the bedroom on his first touch, Lukaku offers a stellar crusade. A boy who first broke at age 16 at Anderlecht scored 23 goals on his first Serie A crusade and has now damaged Alan Shearer’s Europa League record. The former number nine in Newcastle and England has scored in 8 consecutive games at UEL, but Lukaku has now discovered the net in nine consecutive games. He is also the first player to score in six consecutive European matches for Inter.
Of course, it’s not just Lukaku who’s had Inter so far, but his shape has masked some cracks. Inter was not clinical enough against Bayer Leverkusen, only one match he dominated, and was far from impressive against Getafe in the eighth round. There’s massive quality on the Inter team, and they’ve ended only one point from the end. Serie A-winning Juventus have not yet produced a 90-minute rally at this festival to sow concern at the heart of their rivals.
Alexis Sanchez ruled out of the attack due to a muscle injury, but coach Antonio Conte can call his two favorites, Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez. Midfielder Matías Vecino is not yet available.
Respect for the Shakhtar’s firepower
Shakhtar put a flag in the arena in the quarter-finals, and smashed Basel 4-1. Junior Moraes discovered the net in two minutes, and players like Taison and Marlos caused riots. It is a team with great delight at this level, and in goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov there is a link with the team that won the UEFA Cup in 2009.
Since entering the Europa League from the Champions League, Shakhtar has produced eye-catching displays. They scored five goals against Benfica on two legs and beat a strong Wolfsburg at home and away. Luis Castro’s team has racked up 14 goals in just five UEL games and, while it may seem fragile on the defensive, he discovers tactics to win. I advised them to be back-to-back at [16.0] in the winners market, and now they are [10.0], with Inter favourited at [2.82].
Castro has no new injuries or suspension problems, and it remains to be noted whether defender Davit Khocholava will return after a penalty.
Inter too short in a crash
The Inter has the stars, but the Shakhtar is a unit and has many tactics to damage the Italian giants. If the muscular Junior Moraes doesn’t perceive you, Marlos’ deception or Taison’s franchise will. Of course, Lukaku may prove unplayable again, but I think it will be a much narrower shock than the market suggests.
I’d put Inter to win in 90 minutes with [1.8].
Goals in abundance on the cards
Inter has scored at least two goals in 13 of their last 15 games, while Shakhtar has scored goals for UEL.
You can double BTTS and more than 2.5 to [1.93] at the same multi-game bookmaker, or opt for more than 3.5 on the exchange at [2.68].
Lukaku and Moraes the Dangermen
Lukaku has 10/11 to score at any moment, and I think he will cause a fragile Shakhtar defense all sorts of problems. Its form suggests that the 10/11 is really a generous price.
It also has a Moraes value at 15/8. He has scored seven goals in his last six games and is the focal point of Shakhtar’s attack.
Kevin Hatchard, 16 August 2020
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