Inter take on AC Milan this Sunday night in the ‘Derby della Madonnina’ (kick off 20:45 CET) in what is usually one of the highlights of the Serie A season but with both teams sitting in mid table it seems this match is purely for pride.
Inter come into this game after picking up their first win in 6 matches, away at Hellas Verona last weekend in a 3-0 win.
AC Milan are in slightly better form after wins against Cagliari and Palermo and a draw against Sampdoria last weekend 1-1.
Inter sit 1 point and 1 place behind their city rivals and are currently in 10th place in the Serie A table.
This match also sees the battle of 2 strikers in the race for the capo-cannoniere crown. Mauro Icardi and Jeremy Menez are both on 16 goals each behind Carlos Tevez who is on 18 goals.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by GDS.
Samir Handanovic rightfully keeps his place in goal after last weekend’s superb performance against Hellas Verona.
Last weekend’s backline is expected to stay the same with Danilo D’Ambrosio on the right and Juan Jesus on the left. Captain Andrea Ranocchia will be partnered with Nemanja Vidic in central defence.
In the midfield Roberto Mancini has decisions to make with Fredy Guarin and Marcelo Brozovic both suspended for this match. Gary Medel should start along with Hernanes and at this stage the last midfield place could go to one of Joel Obi or Assane Gnoukouri, who impressed in his debut last weekend.
In the trequartista role Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to get the nod ahead of Mateo Kovacic.
Up top Rodrigo Palacio and Mauro Icardi start after scoring a goal each and assisting each other against Hellas Verona.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (4-3-1-2) Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia (C), Vidic, Juan Jesus, Hernanes, Medel, Gnoukouri, Shaqiri, Icardi, Palacio.
Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Andreolli, Santon, Felipe, Donkor, Nagatomo, Di Marco, Kovacic, Obi, Palazzi, Podolski, Puscas, Bonazzoli.
Some Stats:
In the earlier fixture between the two sides this season, the match finished in a 1-1 draw with Jeremy Menez and Joel Obi scoring the goals.
In the past five meetings between the clubs there has only been seven goals.
Inter have the lead in the overall head to head records in all competitions, as they have won 76 out of the 213 official games played, with AC Milan winning 74 games.
Inter are also undefeated in 9 of their last 10 home matches against AC Milan in all competitions.
Player to Watch: Rodrigo Palacio – After a poor start to the season, we are now seeing the real Palacio and he has arguably been Inter’s best player in the last month.
My Prediction: Inter 2-1 AC Milan
Scorers: Palacio, Icardi (Inter), Menez (AC Milan)
Officials: Referee: Luca Banti Assistants: De Luca, Vuoto
Fourth Official: Preti Additional Assistants: Guida, Doveri
Author’s Note: This is a must win game for Inter, and could give the team a massive confidence boost ahead of a tough run-in where Inter play Roma, Lazio and Juventus in the final eight matches. At this stage the Europa League looks far away but a derby win could set up an interesting end to the season. If Inter lose this game then the season is over in my opinion.
