Prediction: Inter Milan vs Verona
Verdict: Inter Milan win
Best Odds: 4/11
Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Serie A table, Inter Milan will welcome Verona to the San Siro on Saturday night.
Inter Milan
Starting with the hosts, eventually managing to mount a stunning last-gasp comeback on Coppa Italia duties earlier in the week, Inter Milan will be desperate for a far more routine display on Saturday night. Edging their way past Parma thanks to an extra-time winner at the San Siro, Simone Inzaghi’s side simply have their sights set on clinching a much-needed top-four finish this season. However, marking their return from the World Cup break with a stunning display on January 4th as they clinched a 1-0 victory against runaway leaders Napoli, the Nerazzurri will be seeking a repeat display this weekend. Booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, the ex-Lazio boss does find his side in the midst of an extended unbeaten run. In fact, Inter have not suffered a single domestic defeat since a 2-0 loss away at fellow Italian giants Juventus way back on November 6th.
Team News
All given a rest earlier in the week, the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu Romelu Lukaku and Nicolo Barella will be hoping for a recall on Saturday night.
However, still dealing with a long-term knee injury, 29-year-old defender Dalbert will once again miss out here.
Verona
As for the visitors, while Verona might have managed to snatch a much-needed 2-0 victory at home against Cremonese earlier in the week, the Gialloblu have continued on a nightmare campaign this season. Crashing back down to earth after their ninth-place finish last year, Marco Zaffaroni’s side have claimed just a single domestic win from any of their previous 12 attempts – a run that stems all the way back to September 4th. Already sat six points adrift of finding a route out of the relegation zone, the Blues will know that they face a huge challenge this weekend. Suffering a routine 2-0 loss when they last made the trip to Milan nine months ago, Verona should also be worried by a nightmare record against the former Italian champions. Losing each of their last four meetings against the Nerazzurri by an aggregate score of 8-2, Saturday’s guests have remarkably failed to clinch a single victory against Inter since February 1992.
Team News
Zaffaroni’s side are sweating over the fitness of Marco Faraoni, Kevin Lasagna and Simone Verdi when they travel to the San Siro this weekend.
Bagging both goals in Verona’s 2-0 victory against Cremonese, Darko Lazovic should once again join Milan Djuric in attack.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last met nine months ago, Inter Milan picked up a 2-0 victory at the San Siro.
- The Nerazzurri have won each of their last four meetings against Verona by an aggregate score of 8-2.
- Likewise, Verona have remarkably failed to pick up a single domestic victory against the former Serie A champions since February 1992.
- Inter Milan have not suffered a single domestic defeat since a 2-0 loss against Juventus on November 6th.
- Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single domestic victory from any of their previous 12 attempts.
Conclusion
While Verona might have finally drawn a line under their nightmare run earlier in the week, Saturday’s guests will know that they face a monumental challenge at the San Siro. Slumping to a 2-0 loss when they last met the former Serie A champions nine months ago, the Nerazzurri are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Not suffering a single domestic defeat since the start of November, Inter will also be excited by a remarkable record against the relegation scrappers. Unbeaten against Verona since way back in 1992, they have also won each of their last four showdowns by an aggregate score of 8-2. Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the table, we’re backing a fairly routine home victory this weekend.
Verdict: Inter Milan win
Best Odds: 4/11
