Inter Milan vs Fiorentina

League leaders Inter Milan play host to Fiorentina in the ‘other’ big match of week 33 in Serie A. Inter Milan are looking to extend their unbeaten run to 3 matches as they try to pull away from AS Roma while the visiting Fiorentina are riding high following a big win over PSV Eindhoven in their UEFA Cup that allowed them to advance to the semi final.

Inter are currently in first place with 72 points on the season and maintain a 4 point edge on Roma. In their last match, the squad managed by Roberto Mancini scored a 0-2 win over Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The win was the neroazzurri’s 2^nd in their last 5 games to go with 2 draws and 1 loss. Inter Milan continue to have a number of injury concerns this week with Zlatan Ibrahimovic headlining an injured list that includes Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba and Rivas. Balotelli is set to take the spot left open by Ibrahimovic alongside Argentine striker Julio Cruz. On a positive note, Chivu is set to start at the back.

Fiorentina were winners at home last week as they held serve over the struggling Reggina by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The win continued a trend for the viola in recent weeks that has seen them win at home and then lose away and they have posted 3 home wins and 2 road losses over their past 5 games. This is a change for Fiorentina as earlier in the season they were among the top clubs in the league away from home. At this time the side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of Serie A with 56 points and sit 2 points back of 3^rd place Juventus and 4 points up on 4^th place AC Milan. The one confirmed injury absence for this match is Semioli while Donadel will sit out suspended. Fiorentina look set to go with a 4-3-3 featuring Mutu, Pazzini and Santana in attack while Christian Vieri will sit on the bench.

This could prove to be a tough match for the neroazzurri given that the injuries seem to have been taking a toll of late especially in attack with Ibrahimovic and Cruz rarely starting together over the past 2 months. However, Fiorentina’s problems away from home where they have lost 4 of their last 5 games makes them especially vulnerable in this match considering that Inter have won 13 of 16 games with 2 draws at home this year.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-1)