Inter Milan vs Cagliari

First place Inter Milan play host to Cagliari at the San Siro in their week 35 match in Serie A. This contest will feature a direct clash between clubs coming off of important victories in the last round, with the neroazzurri looking to finally put AS Roma away.

Inter Milan were winners by a score 0-1 win over Torino in round 34 and this result helped them to increase their advantage over 2^nd place AS Roma to 6 points with just 4 games remaining in the present campaign as they have 78 points to AS Roma’s 72. The neroazzurri are currently undefeated over their last four matches, have won 3 in a row, and have not conceded a goal in any of those three games. At this time the injured list for manager Roberto Mancini includes Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Figo. Look for Balotelli and Julio Cruz to make the start in attack.

Cagliari held serve at home in week 34 in a match which they absolutely had to have by a score of 2-0 at the Sant’Elia over relegation threatened Empoli. With their big victory i sardi are now 15^th in the Serie A table with 35 points. They sit just behind 14^th place Catania and 1 point ahead of 16^th place Torino. Cagliari have now opened up a 5 point gap between themselves and the clubs fighting in the drop zone. Ballardini’s squad have been able to climb 5 spots in the league table since his appointment as manager. Cagliari have now won 2 important matches in succession having won away to Livorno the week before last. On the injury front, the club will be without Marchini and Parola who are both injured, while Foggia, Fini, and Pisano are out suspended. Matri and Jeda are set to start upfront.

Inter Milan have been a rock at home this season with 14 wins and 2 draws from 17 matches. They finally opened up some breathing room over Roma last week when they were able to stretch their lead to 6 points. This game at home to Cagliari could go a long way to putting out Roma’s last flickering hopes of a title. Cagliari have been much better of late but it is hard to envision them getting anything better than a draw from a match, if that. Look for Inter to hold serve at home.

Prediction: Inter Milan (1-0)