As the Serie A season heats up, reigning champions Inter Milan welcome newly-promoted Venezia to the iconic San Siro on Sunday evening. This match presents an intriguing clash between title contenders and relegation battlers, with both sides coming off midweek victories.
Inter Milan have been in imperious form this season, losing just once in 13 league matches. They currently sit second in the table, hot on the heels of league leaders Napoli. The Nerazzurri are riding a seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions since their derby defeat to AC Milan. Most recently, they dismantled 10-man Empoli 3-0 away from home, with Davide Frattesi bagging a brace.
Venezia, on the other hand, have struggled to adapt to life in the top flight. The Lagunari have managed just two wins all season, leaving them mired in the relegation zone. However, they showed tremendous fighting spirit midweek, coming from two goals down to defeat Udinese 3-2 at home. Captain Joel Pohjanpalo was the hero, scoring twice from the penalty spot.
The most intriguing matchup will be between Inter’s high-powered attack and Venezia’s leaky defense. The Nerazzurri have been scoring for fun this season, while Venezia have conceded an average of over two goals per game on their travels.
In midfield, the battle between Inter’s Nicolo Barella and Venezia’s Alfred Duncan could be crucial. Both are energetic, box-to-box players capable of influencing the game at both ends of the pitch.
Inter are likely to dominate possession and territory, utilizing their wing-backs to stretch the Venezia defense. The visitors will likely set up in a compact 3-5-2 formation, looking to frustrate Inter and hit on the counter-attack.
Venezia’s best chance of an upset may come from set-pieces, where they can utilize their height advantage. Inter have shown some vulnerability from dead-ball situations this season.
Team News
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi has some selection dilemmas ahead of this fixture. With a crucial Champions League clash against Arsenal looming, he may opt to rotate his squad. Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi are back in contention, but may be rested. Carlos Augusto remains sidelined with injury.
The home side could make changes up front, with Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautovic pushing for starts in place of the prolific duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. In midfield, Davide Frattesi will hope to keep his place after his midweek heroics.
Venezia coach Eusebio Di Francesco has fewer options at his disposal. Bjarki Bjarkason is the only confirmed absentee for the visitors. The attack will once again be led by talisman Joel Pohjanpalo, supported by USA international Gianluca Busio. Former Inter youth product Gaetano Oristanio is in contention to start against his old club.
Expected Starting XIs
Inter: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Taremi
Venezia: Stankovic; Idzes, Svoboda, Haps; Zampano, Duncan, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ellertsson; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo
Match Prediction
While Venezia showed great character in their comeback win against Udinese, the gulf in class between these two sides is significant. Inter’s squad depth allows them to rotate without a significant drop in quality. Even if Inzaghi rests some key players, the Nerazzurri should have too much firepower for the promoted side.
Venezia may find the net, as Inter have been conceding more freely at home recently. However, the champions’ attacking prowess should see them comfortably over the line. A 3-1 victory for Inter Milan seems the most likely outcome, keeping them firmly in the title race as they head into a crucial week of fixtures.
Prediction:
