Inter Milan vs Empoli

The unbeaten Inter Milan return home as they host the struggling Empoli at the Giuseppe Meazza with an excellent chance of maintaining their impressive record. Empoli are just a few points ahead of last place Cagliari and could be facing their toughest test of the season this week.

The neroazzurri are coming off of a hard, well earned point a week ago in their week 20 contest against Udinese at the Stadio Friuli. With the point Inter Milan remain top of the table in Serie A with 50 points on the present campaign. Those 50 points are good enough for a 5 point lead over the impressive Roma. Now they are back home at the San Siro where they have put up very strong numbers having won 9 of 10 matches with 1 draw. One of the factors that makes Roberto Mancini’s squad so tough to beat is their overall depth which has allowed them to play long stretches of the season without players of the caliber of David Suazo, Walter Samuel, Dacourt and Christian Chivu. Morale is also quite high this week after Inter Milan were able to knock off their hated rivals of Juventus in the Coppa Italia. The combination of Julio Cruz of Argentina, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden in attack has put up 23 goals for Inter so far.

Empoli are just trying to survive in Serie A these days. Nothing has come easy for them this season and they currently sit 19^th out of 20 clubs in the league table with 16 points on the campaign. They are 1 point behind 18^th place Siena, 2 points back of Reggina and just 3 ahead of last place Cagliari who suddenly are hot on their tail after big win last week. The side managed by Malesani were defeated at home at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in their week 20 match to Fiorentina by a score of 0-2. As if that were not bad enough they now hit the road where they have won just 1 match all season long to take on the undefeated Inter Milan. The lone bright spot is that Empoli have reported just 2 injury concerns at this time and they are Marchisio and Pratali. Everyone else should be available.

There does not seem to be much hope for Empoli in this match. The numbers are clear, Inter are unbeaten with 9 wins and 1 draw at home while Empoli have won just 1 away with 7 losses and 2 draws. It would take a super human effort for Empoli just to hold out for a point.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-0)

Udinese vs Inter Milan

It doesn’t get any easier for Udinese this week. After having to take on AC Milan at home last week they now are up against Inter and face the very real possibility of dropping 6 points in their own stadium in 7 days. Inter continue to steam roll over the competition and enter this contest as the only side in Serie A yet to lose a match.

The side managed by Marino are in 5^th place of the league table with 32 points on the present campaign. They are 2 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina while enjoying a 7 point edge on 6^th place Atalanta. The come into this match off of a 0-1 loss to Milan a week ago at the Stadio Friuli. They are winners of just 1 of their last 4 matches and now must pull out all the spots to try and upset the mighty Inter. The good news is that apart from Asamoah the rest of the usual starters are available this week. Left side fullback Lukovic did have some muscular discomfort this week but appears set to make the start.

Inter Milan just continue their mastery over the rest of Serie A. They held serve at home against Parma in their last Serie A match by a score of 3-2 at the San Siro and then followed that up with a victory over their hated rivals of Juventus in the Coppa Italia. They are in first place in the league table with 49 points, 7 points ahead of second place Roma. Even more impressive than their point total however, is the fact that in just half a season they already posted 6 victories on the road. Roberto Mancini’s club have been able to absorb numerous injuries such as the ones that have kept Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo, and Walter Samuel out for long stretches but just continue to sail along. In strikers Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz they has shown to have what is perhaps the most in form pair of strikers in Europe.

It is certainly a daunting task for Udinese this week as the fixture list calls for them to play both Milan clubs back to back. Expect them to play much better than they did against Milan, but Inter are no pushovers. The neroazzurri will do enough to draw the match if not win.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Siena vs Inter Milan

Siena are home to league leaders Inter Milan in week 18 facing what seems like an impossible task. Not only are Inter in first place, but they are undefeated and currently on a 6 match win streak. Meanwhile, Siena have managed to win just 1 match from 9 at home all season.

The side managed by Mario Beretta are in 18^th place of the Serie A table with 14 points for the season. They are 1 point back of 17^th Empoli, and 1 ahead of 19^th place Reggina. They have managed to win just 2 matches all season long. If the season were to end today they would be on their way towards Serie B. They are in the middle of a terrible run in their fixture list which now sees them host Inter after having lost to Juventus in their last match by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. They rank near the bottom of the league in both goals scored, 17, and goals conceded, 25. On the injury front, Grimi, Chiesa and De Lazzari are out injured this week and Beretta will go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Maccarone and Frick upfront.

Inter are nothing short of a power house in Italian football these days. Manager Roberto Mancini has guided them to an undefeated record so far through 17 rounds and they have won their last 6 straight by outscoring the competition by 15-2 over that span. Their 43 points for the year give them a 7 point edge on 2^nd place Roma. Their depth is without rival in the Serie A in terms of talent. The best example of this is their injured list- Patrick Vieira, Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo, Dacourt, Walter Samuel and David Suazo are all out. Despite these absences they have not missed a beat of late. In attack Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz provide them with a pair of strikers to rival any in football these days in terms of production.

This is as uncomplicated a choice as possible. Siena would have to pull off the upset of the season this week to take the three points. Look for Inter to make it 7 wins in a row.

Prediction: Inter (1-2)

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

The Milan derby is once again upon us as Inter Milan play host to AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza. The defending champions of Inter are at home and their first place standing makes them the logical favorite for many. However, they will be going against an AC Milan outfit who are coming off of a victory in the World Club Cup and are very motivated at this time.

Inter are coming off of a 0-2 win away to Cagliari in their Round 16 match . With that win the neroazzurri were able to extend their lead over 2^nd place Roma to 7 points with 40 on the season. They are the only undefeated side left in Serie A and are winners of their last 5 straight. During this stretch they have outscored the opposition by 13 to 1. In short they have been absolutely dominant at times during the present campaign. While they have had a number of injuries over the past few weeks including such high profile players as Patrick Vieira, Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo and Dejan Stankovic, they have not missed a beat. They will be getting an important player back this week as Ibrahimovic returns to join Julio Cruz in the attack. Cruz has been on fire of late and appears to score a goal in every match- he is that effective. If Inter’s attack were not impressive enough, they have not conceded a goal in 4 matches. Manager Roberto Mancini is certainly living a charmed life these days.

Milan are in 11^th place of the league table with 18 points, 3 back of 10^th place Catania. They did not play a league match in week 16 as they were participating and winning the World Club Cup with a superb 4-1 win over Boca Juniors in the final with Kaka leading the way. Their last match was also a derby, at home to Juventus and they played to a 0-0 draw. The only injury concern for this match is striker Ronaldo who is back in Brazil trying to rehab but manager Carlo Ancelotti still has a couple of doubts. The question marks are right fullback where Oddo appears to have the edge over Cafu, while the other doubt is who will be the lone striker- Pippo Inzaghi or Gilardino. At this time Inzaghi looks to have the inside track to starting with the dynamic due of Clarence Seedorf and Kaka behind him. The overall starting eleven is as close to ideal as AC Milan can get these days.

While Inter are certainly the more in form squad at this time it’s impossible to rule AC Milan completely out. There is a reason why they are the defending UEFA Champions League title holders and World Club champions as well. They also have the world’s player in Kaka for good measure. Look for both sides to play as if it were the world cup final and each to grab a share of the points.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Cagliari vs Inter Milan

Cagliari host league leaders Inter Milan in the ultimate David vs Goliath Serie A scenario this season. Not only are Cagliari staring relegation straight in the face in 20^th place of the Seria A league table, 27 points separate the two clubs and the season is not even at its midway point. Inter will be trying to maintain their undefeated record to start the season.

Nedo Sonetti’s side have 10 points at this point in their season and are the door mats of the Serie A, just behind Reggina on goal difference. They have not won a match since they defeated Siena at home back in September. On a positive note they did win their last match at home for the Coppa Italia when they took care of Sampdoria. Their league record at home stands at 1 victory, 2 draws and 4 losses. They were destroyed by Empoli on the road last week by a score of 4-1 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.That loss stretched their winless run to 9 matches of which 4 have come at home. The one thing the sardi have going for them this week is that Shala is the only player not available meaning that Sonetti can go with his classic 4-4-2 formation featuring the Argentine Larrivey and Matri in attack.

Inter Milan are the only side left in Serie A that have yet to lose a match. They are on a 4 match win streak that has seem them outscore the opposition 11-1. They are as well oiled a machine at this point as you could possibly ask for. They have won 4 of 7 matches away from home with 3 draws. There will be some significant absences from the starting eleven this week for manager Roberto Mancini. In addition to the suspended Ibrahimovic, he will be without Patrick Vieira, Luis Figo, keeper Francesco Toldo, Stankovic and Dacourt among others. Brazilian international Julio Cesar will once again get the start in goal while the combination of Julio Cruz of Argentina and Honduran David Suazo in attack. It will be an especially emotional match for Suazo as he spent 7 years in Sardinia.

Cagliari will need to play their best match of the season while Inter will need to perform well below their abilities in order for the side from the Sant’Elia to have a chance. Inter are just too good and should pick up their 5^th straight win, notwithstanding all of the injury concerns. Of note, the Inter starting eleven will once again feature no Italian players and save for Christian Chivu the remaining 10 starters are from south and central america.

Prediction: Inter 1-2.

Inter Milan vs Atalanta

Inter Milan and Atalanta Bergamo meet at the San Siro in a clash of sides who had their respective matches postponed in Round 12. The nerozzurri were scheduled to play host to Lazio while Atalanta were to have done the same against AC Milan. Inter remain unbeaten on the season and are the only side with that distinction left in Serie A. Atalanta are off to a promising start themselves and currently occupy on of the UEFA Cup slots in the league table.

Inter’s undefeated record has seen them amass 25 points through 11 matches which are the product of 7 wins with 4 draws. They have a superb goal difference of 22 goals scored and only 7 conceded. That defensive record is currently tops in the league. They maintain a 2 point edge on second place Fiorentina. The Bergamaschi are in 6^th place with 18 points which are the product of 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. They are within 4 points of 5^th place Udinese and are just ahead of Palermo on goal difference.

Inter’s last match came in Round 11 when they were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Atalanta are coming off of a big win away from home when they scored a 1-2 victory at Catania’s Stadio Carlo Castellani. Both sides feature players in the top 3 of the Serie A scoring table with Inter’s Ibrahimovic tied for 2^nd place with 7 goals while Doni represents Atalanta in a 3^rd place tie with 6 goals.

There are a couple of concerns for Del Neri as he prepares his squad for the match against Inter. In addition to the suspended De Ascentis, defender Rivalta has a slight muscle strain which could keep him out. Should he not be able to start Del Neri will need to choose between Balleri or Manfredini.

Roberto Mancini will be getting some key players back this week as Christian Chivu and Marco Materazzi are both available off of the bench. First choice keeper Francesco Toldo is still out the Brazilian Julio Cesar is coming off of a monumental performance in Brazil’s win over Uruguay earlier in the week and should be fine in his place. Walter Samuel will start alongside Ivan Cordoba in central defense with Materazzi on the bench.

Atalanta have proven to be a quality club this season and have only lost 1 match in 6 on the road this year. Inter are extremely tough to beat but that does not mean that Del Neri will not find a way to at least keep it close.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Inter Milan vs Lazio

Inter Milan came extremely close to a victory that would have been their most impressive of the season Round 11 when they played to a 1-1 draw away to Juventus. A goal 13 minutes from time did them in and keeps their lead over 2^nd place Fiorentina at 2 points. The result just reaffirms that it will be very difficult for Inter to run away with the Serie A title as they did in 2006-2007. Still, the fact remains that they are tops in the league at this moment and will now host the struggling Lazio at the Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro.

As with any club that has enjoyed so much success over the past few years, the biggest scandals that seem to revolve around the club pertain to squad selection. Brazilian striker Adriano has now been left off the list of players called up for this match by manager Roberto Mancini and it the 4^th straight week he will not even dress. As Adriano has no injury concerns it appears he simply fell in the managers dog house. His absence and the injury to Hernan Crespo means that Mancini will go with his regular striker combo of Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz which is not too shabby indeed.

Lazio are currently in free fall mode. Just when it looked as though their season had hit a low point following the humiliating slaughter at home at the hands of AC Milan by a score of 1-5, they have proceeded to lose their next two matches at home as well to Udinese and Fiorentina. They have now fallen to 15^th place in the Serie A table with just 10 points from 11 matches. As if things weren’t bad enough for Delio Rossi’s side the injury list continues to get longer. In addition to the absences of Mutarelli, Diakite, Mauri and Siviglia, Lazio will also be without Serbian wide man Kolarov. Lazio, like many other clubs, appear to be making the UEFA Champions League their only priority this year. The midweek victory over German side Werder Bremen by a score of 2-1 has Lazio in first place of their group through 4 matches.

The way Inter have performed at home this season, winning 13 out of a possible 15 points makes them overwhelming favorites in this match. This is especially true given the number of absences that Lazio will carry into this match. The 3 straight losses at home have not helped improve their confidence level in the least bit and with the next round of the UEFA Champions League within reach it’s doubtful they will be as focused for this match as they are on those European nights.

Prediction: Home win (2-0)

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