Inter Milan head into their final three games of the opening phase of the 2024/25 Champions League with their destiny firmly in their own hands.

Four wins and a draw in their first five matches have pushed Inter to second in the standings. They are only two points behind Premier League giants Liverpool.

However, a quick look at the latest Champions League odds suggests Inter have a tough job on their hands to claim top spot ahead of the Reds.

Arne Slot’s side are rated as 1/4 shots to finish on top the standings at the end of the league phase, while Barcelona can be backed at 5/1.

Inter are the third favourites at 13/2, but it would be unwise to read too much into those odds given the current state of play in the competition.

Just three points separates Inter from Lille in 12th place, while another four clubs are just one point adrift of the Ligue 1 outfit.

With a trip to Bayer Leverkusen next on the agenda for Inter, it would be foolish to think that they are guaranteed to secure one of the eight automatic places in the knockout stage.

Leverkusen are just one point behind Inter in the standings and are yet to drop a point on home soil in the competition this season.

Their 5-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg highlighted their ability to demolish teams when they are in the mood and Inter must be wary of the threat they pose.

The two sides last met in the Champions League in 2002/03, and the Nerazzurri recorded home and away victories during the second group stage that season.

However, previous results will have no bearing on their next meeting, and a draw in Germany would not be a bad result for Simeone Inzaghi’s side.

Inter Milan Must Be Clinical In Last Three Champions League Groupe Stage Contests

Inter will round off their league phase fixtures in January against Sparta Prague (A) and Monaco (H), and both games have the potential to be banana skins.

Sparta can be a hostile place to visit, although Atletico Madrid found it to their liking when recording a 6-0 triumph when they visited in November.

Despite that result, Inter cannot afford to take things lightly against Sparta, particularly with a tough home game to come against Ligue 1 side Monaco.

They have picked up ten points from their five Champions League outings this season and will be desperate to claim one of the coveted top eight places in the standings.

Finishing above the line secures a bye to the last 16 of the competition and avoids having to play an additional play-off knockout round in February.

This is hugely important for Inter, who are mounting a strong bid to win the Serie A title for the second consecutive season.

They can ill-afford to add additional fixtures to their already packed schedule, so must focus on keeping themselves in the top eight of the Champions League standings.

A seven-point haul from their final three games should push Inter comfortably across the line, and many expect them to complete the job.