Inter de Minas vs Nacional AC MG - Mineiro - 3

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings Inter de Minas and Nacional AC MG together at the home ground on September 25, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the Mineiro - 3 occasion. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Inter de Minas and Nacional AC MG cross paths in the Mineiro - 3, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. Inter de Minas's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. Nacional AC MG will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. If you're Arsenal and wanting to win the Premier League, and you take six points off those teams, then you're near-on winning the Premier League.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Inter de Minas may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Nacional AC MG have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Schalke had only 17 per cent of the possession but, having visited the club to interview their charismatic coach Miron Muslic, that is hardly a surprise.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. The former midfielder went on to choose that defensive combination a further five times - and they did not lose any of those games (W5, D1).

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.