Three points ahead of Napoli and six ahead of Atalanta, who were beaten 2-0 in Bergamo (Carlos Augusto and Lautaro) on the last day before the break. Nerazzurri coach Simone Inzaghi couldn’t have asked for anything better: two weeks ago, his Inter side may have secured the Scudetto, fending off the assault of one of the two teams still in the running for the tricolore and taking advantage of another misstep by the Neapolitans, who were held by Venezia.
However, the reigning Italian champions have two very intense months ahead of them, in which, unlike their rivals, they will have to play more games, as they are still involved on three fronts (the league, the Champions League, and the Coppa Italia). In fact, a real tour de force awaits the Nerazzurri: on the horizon are the double challenges with Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinals and Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. Four games that will inevitably take a lot of energy. It is therefore essential not to slip up in games that are winnable on paper, such as the one against Udinese at San Siro, which must be won at all costs to put further pressure on Napoli, who will face Milan at the Maradona stadium a few hours later. Once they reach 40 points, the Friulians will have to be wary of the so-called ‘full belly’ syndrome. With safety already secured and Europe too far away, it will not be easy to find motivation between now and May. We saw this on the last matchday against Verona, who were able to win at the Bluenergy Stadium (0-1) and end the Bianconeri’s long unbeaten run, which had lasted since January.
Inter-Udinese: the latest news on the line-ups
It was a bittersweet break for Inzaghi. The Nerazzurri coach has the return of full-backs Darmian and Dimarco, who will slot in on the flanks, but at the same time he will be without two regular starters in Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez, who are injured, absences that add to the equally significant one of the suspended Bastoni. There is still some faint hope for the Argentine striker, who returned to Italy immediately after missing both international matches, but he will likely be assessed on the day. In attack, Arnautovic and Correa will play alongside Thuram.
Udinese will be without Thauvin, who was already absent against Verona. At San Siro, Runjaic will probably return to a 3-5-2 formation.
Odds comparison
Inter’s victory is priced at 1.38 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai. A “No Goals” bet is priced at 1.72 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.77 on Snai.
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The prediction
Third clash of the season between Inter and Udinese, who also faced each other in the Coppa Italia last December. In Friuli, in September, it ended 3-2 for the Nerazzurri, but Inzaghi’s team also got the better of them at San Siro, keeping a clean sheet on that occasion (2-0). Inter remain favourites despite some important absences, and another clean sheet against an Udinese side that has scored only three goals in its last four games cannot be ruled out.
Probable line-ups for Inter vs. Udinese
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto; Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Arnautovic.
UDINESE (3-5-2): Okoye; Kristensen, Solet, Bijol; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Payero, Kamara; Ekkelenkamp, Lucca.