User Review
( votes)Juventus v Inter Serie A Match Preview
One of the biggest fixtures on the Italian calendar takes place on Sunday as Juventus welcome Inter to the J Stadium for the Derby D’Italia.
JUVENTUS LOOKING TO START A NEW WINNING CYCLE
Last week’s 0-0 draw in Bologna brought to an end a sequence of 15 consecutive league wins for Juventus. They remain top of Serie A however, after Napoli failed to capitalise on Monday against Milan. On Tuesday evening, Massimo Allegri’s team were pushed to the limit in the Champions League by Bayern Munich; coming back from two goals down to grab a 2-2 draw, ensuring they go into the second-leg in three weeks’ time with hope of still making it into the quarter-finals. Now the Old Lady looks ahead to Sunday’s challenge, as Inter look to become the first team to put the ball in the back of Gigi Buffon’s goal in a league fixture since January 10th.
OFF-FIELD INSTABILITY UPSET INTER’S PREPERATIONS
Whilst performances on the field are once again improving for Internazionale, its events away from it that are dominating the build-up to Sunday’s game. With club President Erick Thohir rumoured to be looking to try to sell the club, the owner himself has had to speak publicly this week, to try to re-assure supporters that he is merely looking for a financial benefactor to help take the club to the next level. Former coach Jose Mourinho’s appearance last weekend at the home win against Sampdoria was a stark reminder of the glory days, when the Nerazzurri won the treble only six years ago. Club captain Mauro Icardi has declared that a third-place finish to get a foothold in next season’s Champions League is a must; the best football betting sites will give you odds of *6.00 for that to happen at the end of the current campaign.
TEAM NEWS
There’s a big blow for Juventus ahead of this crucial fixture, after it was revealed that midfielder Claudio Marchisio will miss the game because of a thigh injury picked up in Tuesday’s epic encounter against Bayern. The good news for Allegri is that Giorgio Chiellini and Alex Sandro should both be available for selection after their respective lay-off, although Martin Caceres is out for the season with a knee injury.
Inter are without the services of Marcelo Brozovic who is serving a suspension, although French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia will be available after his red card was overturned on appeal. Serbian play-maker Adem Ljajic may return as part of a three-man attack, with Jonathan Biabiany pushing him close for a starting berth.
THE SQUADS FOR TURIN
Juventus (from) Buffon, Neto, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Pogba, Khedira, Sturaro, Hernanes, Dybala, Mandzukic, Morata, Padoin, Evra, Lemina, Pereyra, Cuadrado, Zaza, Rugani
Inter (from) Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Nagatomo, Perisic, Kondogbia, Medel, Biabiany, Melo, Eder, Icardi, Carrizo, Berni, Telles, Santon, Juan Jesus, Gnoukouri, Jovetic, Palacio, Manaj
HEAD TO HEAD
Inter have failed to beat Juventus in their last six league meetings; their last win coming in Turin back in November 2012. The Bianconeri have won their last nine Serie A home games, keeping a clean-sheet in their last seven. There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Inter’s last three away encounters, the betting exchanges are currently offering odds of *2.15 for this to be the case on Sunday. The first league meeting between the two ended goalless back in October.
*MATCH BETTING
Juventus 1.57 Draw 4.00 Inter 6.00
*odds courtesy of Bet365
By: Steve Mitchell