AC Milan will lock horns with arch-rivals Inter in a mouth-watering weekend Serie A encounter.
Stadium: San Siro
Key statistics
- Sunday’s Milan derby will mark the 174th in Serie A, with Inter winning four of the last five encounters.
- It will be the first time since 2011 that both the Clubs will compete when holding the top two positions in the Serie A table (Inter – 1st and AC Milan -2nd )
- AC Milan won the return fixture earlier this season, and if they end up victorious on Sunday, it will be the first time over a decade that Rossoneri can wrap up both the encounters in a single season.
AC Milan
AC Milan have been rampant in Serie A this season, occupying the top spot for the larger parts. However, their recent form has been questioned as they had suffered defeats against Atalanta and Spezia, allowing Inter to move to the top of the table.
Furthermore, Rossoneri were coming off a disappointing draw against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League last 32, where they conceded the equaliser in injury time.
Milan’s morale would have been affected following their recent turn of events however they are still aware of the importance of the derby and what it could mean to the Scudetto race.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to be Milan’s talisman as he has racked up 14 goals this season while attackers like Rafael Leao, Hakan Calhanoglu and Ante Rebic have been more or less of greater value to Stefano Pioli’s side.
Possible line-ups
Gianluigi Donnarumma; David Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Alessio Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Franck Kessie, Sandro Tonali; Alexis Saelemaekers, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Inter Milan
Ever since their defeat to AC Milan in October, Inter have maintained a surreal run in Serie A, going undefeated in all of the matches bar the defeat against Sampdoria. They are also leading the Scudetto race, a point ahead of Rossoneri.
Inter also exacted revenge by defeating AC Milan in the quarter-finals of Coppa Italia, and now they look to do so on Sunday.
Coming off an emphatic win against Lazio last week, Inter are looking in higher spirits than their arch-rivals.
Romelu Lukaku, who is a top contender for Serie A Golden boot, has been in sublime form this season and would pose a big threat to Milan’s defence. Young midfielder Nicolo Barella has been catching everyone’s eyes with his scintillating performances, and he would be key to Antonio Conte’s side this Sunday.
Possible line-ups
Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Bastoni; Achrarf Hakimi, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Christian Eriksen, Ivan Perisic; Lautaro Martinez, Romelu Lukaku
Betting Odds
AC Milan : Draw : Inter Milan :: 3.60 : 3.60 : 2.00
Prediction:
Inter 2 – 0 Milan
