Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Odds & Preview: Europa League Semifinals

• Inter are favored to get the better of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League semifinal
• Shakhtar saw off FC Basel on Tuesday and have the players cause Inter problems
• Get the latest odds, betting analysis and a pick below

After falling short domestically, Inter’s attention has turned to European glory. Antonio Conte’s side are two wins away from lifting the Europa League, but they face a stern test in the shape of Shakhtar Donetsk in the semifinal.

Shakhtar emphatically saw off FC Basel on Tuesday to book their place in the last four. They are underdogs for this tie. Inter, meanwhile, beat Bayer Leverkusen on Monday to move a step closer to their first European silverware since Jose Mourinho won the treble in 2009-10.

The latest odds are available in the table below.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Odds

Odds taken August 12

Thrilling Shakhtar Attack

Shakhtar blew Basel away. The tie was as good as over with a two-goal lead inside 22 minutes, and that became a four-goal deficit before a consolation from Ricky van Wolfswinkel. Junior Moraes, Taison and Marlos form an exciting forward trio. The Ukrainian side thrashed Wolfsburg 3-0 in the second leg of their last 16 duel, and drew 3-3 with Benfica earlier in the competition.

At their best, Shakhtar will attack with pace. Their average possession in the Europa League is a shade under 53%, and they have players who will carry the ball. Benfica are the only team to average more dribbles per game in the Europa League this season.

⚽️ Junior Moraes 2'
⚽ Taison 22'

Shakhtar Donetsk have one foot in the semi-finals already 👀#UEL #SHABAS pic.twitter.com/zFoTNOTpNo

— GOAL (@goal) August 11, 2020

Two counter-attacking teams always makes for an intriguing match. Inter are at their best without the ball, when they can spring quickly in transition and release Romelu Lukaku.

Conte’s European Record

Conte has won league titles. He dominated Italian football with Juventus and led Chelsea to the top of the Premier League. His Inter side was quickly more competitive and looked like Serie A favorites for much of this season. European football has always been the criticism of him – his record is underwhelming for a manager of his stature.

https://twitter.com/RomeluLukaku9/status/1292946229949849600

He might not get a better opportunity for a European trophy than this. Sure, the remaining sides are strong, and they are only in the last four, but Inter have been the best team of the semifinalists on paper this season. They have experience throughout the squad, and in Lukaku, one of the best strikers on the planet. The Belgian will no doubt be desperate to prove a point if Inter meets Manchester United in the final.

Inter’s post-lockdown blip has been forgotten. They finished their league season with three wins on the bounce, including impressive victories over Napoli and Atalanta. Wins over Getafe and Bayer Leverkusen followed. They are a team in form, a team with a set way of playing and a team keen to take something from a season that promised so much.

Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk Europa League Statistics

Hit the Over

There have been over 2.5 goals in 10 of Shakhtar’s last 13 matches in all competitions. The situation is markedly different for Inter, but this game will be forced to be open by Shakhtar’s play. Their defense is far from perfect – Inter will get chances.

As solid as Conte’s team have been at the back of late (five clean sheets in a row before Kai Havertz’s goal in the quarterfinal), Shakhtar will find a way to make opportunities.

🏆 The @EuropaLeague semi-finals are confirmed:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @ManUtd v @SevillaFC 🇪🇸

🇮🇹 @Inter v @FCShakhtar 🇺🇦

🍿 Roll on Sunday & Monday! pic.twitter.com/ZeELupttiU

— SPORF (@Sporf) August 11, 2020

Inter have a reputation and big names on their side. They are deserving favorites, but this Shakhtar team will not go down wondering. They will play their game, they will attack with numbers and likely make it into an entertaining match.

At -141, over 2.5 isn’t the most exciting bet. It’s the best option from the table above, but Inter to win and both teams to score could be the best value here. There’s attacking talent aplenty in this match, and while Conte may be cautious tactically, both teams to score looks a reasonable bet with Shakhtar involved.

Pick: Inter to win, both teams to score (+235)