Inter Milan will take on Real Betis in a significant friendly match scheduled for August 16 at 00:30. This encounter is particularly crucial for Inter, as they will be missing two of their star forwards, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. Martinez has recently returned to the club but is still working on his fitness after the World Cup, while Thuram is sidelined with a thigh injury.

Despite the absence of these key players, Inter has shown resilience in recent friendlies, demonstrating strong performances from other squad members. The upcoming match against Betis will be a vital opportunity for Inter to assess their depth and adaptability ahead of the new season.

Real Betis, on the other hand, is gearing up for the La Liga season, which kicks off this weekend. However, due to scheduling considerations, they will not be playing in the first round of league matches, making this friendly an ideal chance for them to prepare. Last season, Betis finished impressively in fifth place in La Liga, narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot, and they are eager to build on that success in the upcoming season.

Both teams have the potential to meet again in the Champions League later this season, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this friendly. With Inter missing their key attacking duo, it may prove challenging for them to secure a victory against a capable Betis side.

In terms of team news, Inter's expected lineup is as follows: Provedel; Pavard, Bovio, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Esposito, Bonny. Meanwhile, Betis is likely to field M. Gonzalez; Bartra, Bernal, Deossa, Fidalgo; Firpo, Gomez, Llorente; Morante, Ortiz, Roca.

Recent form suggests that Betis has been in better shape, winning six of their last eight matches, while Inter has struggled, losing five of their last seven. This friendly could be a significant test for both teams as they look to finalize their preparations for the new season.

Bongdaplus predicts a competitive match, with a possible scoreline of 1-2 in favor of Real Betis.