The biggest derby on Italian soil, and one of the biggest in the world, is between the local rivals, AC Milan and Inter Milan. These two sides meet on Saturday afternoon at San Siro, to decide who is the ruler of Milan in the next couple of months. The last two Serie A titles came to Milan, one won by Inter and the following by Rosonerri, which only adds more tension to the already fiery atmosphere.
Preview
AC Milan
Rossoneri didn’t lose in the past seven contests when counting all the preseason events. Though, despite them not dropping a game in four Serie A rounds, Stefano Pioli’s team isn’t very thrilled with the recent results, and the head coach isn’t happy with the way his unit performed.
Two routine triumphs at home, to Udinese at the season opener, 4-2 and Bologna, 2-0, were forgotten due to Milan’s mediocre displays on the road. After 1-1 in Bergamo against Atalanta, we’ve seen them inferior against Sassuolo, in a match, they could have easily lost. The hosts missed a penalty back then, having control over the situation most of the time.
One of the positive aspects of Milan’s recent games is tough defense, which didn’t allow a goal in the previous 180 minutes of play. The attack will have to be much better, yet with Zlatan and Origi out, Pioli’s options are pretty limited. Giroud and Leao have to find a way to establish some consistency.
Inter Milan
Inter has three wins and a loss in the first four rounds. The only defeat was on the road in Rome, where Lazio triumphed, 3-1. It wasn’t a pleasant moment for Simone Inzaghi and his unit, but Nerazzurri quickly bounced back by beating Cremonese at home, 3-1.
As in the previous years, Inter is playing open-minded and offensive football, with lots of goals and action in front of both nets. That’s why all four Serie A events this unit played saw three or more hits, with only one ending without goals on both ends.
It was like that during the preseason period, and it won’t change in the future as well. Inter simply has an attacking mentality, and they don’t care too much for the consequences in the back line.
The problem for Inzaghi is Lukaku’s injury, and the big Belgian won’t be available for Saturday’s game, complicating his team’s situation. Lukaku has been struggling with his fitness ever since arriving, and so far, he wasn’t able to solve those issues.
Head to Head
AC Milan and Inter played four times during the previous season, and the record was even, one win apiece and two draws. Though, in the Italian Cup, Inter got the last laugh, eliminating the rivals, who later won the title.
Prediction
As both teams have problems with injured strikers, many would think that this could be a perfect game for low efficiency. We aren’t so sure about that, and our pick here is Inter to win. Nerazzurri have a much deeper roster than their local rivals, with suitable replacements for Lukaku. Dzeko is going to start, and the system is pretty much going to be the same, without too many changes.
It is a risky bet, but we think it has a certain value, which is why we recommend taking it. For those who want to be safer, double chance Inter or draw is the perfect pick.
Pick: Inter at 8/5 BetXChange
