Inter Milan vs Juventus
Serie A, 2015-16
Date: Sunday, 18th October, 2015
Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
Live Stream: Click here
Roberto Mancini’s Inter Milan face a stern test of their Scudetto credentials as they entertain champions Juventus at the San Siro on Sunday. Inter have made a solid start to their league campaign and currently find themselves second in the standings, behind Fiorentina. The game will present Inter a chance to showcase their title-winning potential, and measure themselves against Italy’s best.
Meanwhile, Juventus have endured a disappointing opening to their title defence and have already lost three games this term, equalling their defeats tally from last season. Massimiliano Allegri’s side have impressed in Europe, but have struggled to translate their continental form into the league.
The last time Inter faced a title challenger this season, they fell to a 4-1 loss against Fiorentina in a game which saw plenty in-game changes from Mancini which ultimately failed to conjure up the desired result. Inter have scored the lowest number of goals among teams in the top half, whilst conceding the second fewest goals.
Juve have already lost against two of the top clubs this season, both 2-1 away losses against AS Roma and Napoli, and another loss at Inter on Sunday could further put a dent on their title ambitions. The Bianconeri are currently in 12th place, and eight points separate them from Inter in the standings.
Inter Milan vs Juventus: Team News
Centre-back Nemanja Vidic is a long-term injury absentee for Inter and is not expected to be back until January at least. Top scorer Stevan Jovetic is out with a hamstring injury, while regulars Geoffrey Kondogbia and Davide Santon and left-back Dodo are injury doubts.
Juventus will be without right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner who will be out until November with a heart condition. Paul Pogba is expected to be fit after suffering an ankle sprain which forced him to miss France’s international friendlies last week. Claudio Marchisio is doubtful, so are Alvaro Morata, Roberto Pereyra, Stefano Sturaro and Mario Mandzukic.
Inter Milan vs Juventus: Probable Line-Ups
Inter: Handanovic; Santon, Medel, Murillo, Alex; Guarin, Melo, Kondogbia; Palacio, Perisic; Icardi.
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Khedira, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Dybala, Morata.
Inter Milan v Juventus: Key Stats
- The last time there was a eight-point gap between Inter and Juventus seven games into the season was way back in 1955.
- 20 games between Inter and Juve have finished 1-0, which is the most frequent scoreline in matches between the two sides, and judging by Inter’s miserly goal return and an out-of-sorts Juve, another 1-0 result cannot be ruled out.
- Juve’s are in the midst of their worst start to a league season since 1980/81, although that year the Bianconeri managed to win the title.
- Inter captain Mauro Icardi has scored in all the five games he has played against Juventus.
Prediction: Inter Milan 1-0 Juventus
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