Inter-Juventus is a Serie A Week 27 match to be played on Sunday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
The twenty-seventh day of Serie A ends with a bang and there couldn’t have been a better epilogue than the derby of Italy between Inter and Juventus, who without the penalty inflicted on the Bianconeri by the sports justice system would be the second and third best in the league respectively.
As Massimiliano Allegri often repeats, if we stick to the results on the field, the Lady is in front: Juventus, net of penalties due to the capital gains case – in mid-April we will know the outcome of the appeal presented to the Collegio di Garanzie del Coni by the Bianconeri’s lawyers – is currently three points above the Nerazzurri, 15 points behind Napoli. The reality, however, is different: the current classification sees Simone Inzaghi’s men in second place, with Roma and Milan breathing down their necks, while Juventus is forced to make a difficult and improbable comeback, having to settle for an unsatisfactory seventh place, with Torino and Bologna hot on their heels. Inter were too inconstant, fresh from their second defeat in a row – this time La Spezia was fatal – which did not allow them to stretch their lead over their direct competitors for a Champions League place. The one that matured in Liguria is the eighth knockout for Lautaro Martinez and his companions: among the first six only Atalanta has collected so many. It was a disappointment the Nerazzurri overcame in the cup, qualifying for the quarter-finals thanks to heroic resistance in Porto, where they managed to defend the 1-0 first leg lead.
It’s the derby of Italy number 180
In the Nyon draw, Inter have also avoided Europe’s top clubs. They will have to face Benfica, a team that in any case is doing very well and should not be underestimated. Should they reach the semi-finals, Inzaghi’s side would then face one of AC Milan or Napoli.
Inzaghi and Allegri
Juventus, on the other hand, were busy on Thursday in the Europa League, where they beat Freiburg (0-2) without too much trouble. Another victory came this week for the Bianconeri, who, as in the first leg, beat the Germans in the sign of the two ex-Viola players Vlahovic and Chiesa and kept their goal inviolate. In the quarter-final draw, Allegri and his team caught the hostile Sporting, who took Arsenal’s scalp in the round of 16. Last Sunday, Juventus won 4-2 against Sampdoria: a victory which was not without a few shivers, but which in any case allowed the coach from Livorno to continue recovering positions in the standings, although fourth place remains ten points away. This is challenge number 180 between Inter and Juve, the healthy bearers of a rivalry that is now centuries old. The balance is 86 Bianconeri victories, 45 draws and 48 Nerazzurri successes. Juve prevailed in the first leg and now have the chance to win both derbies of Italy this season (it hasn’t happened since 2019-20 with Sarri on the bench). Inter, on the other hand, haven’t beaten Juventus in a home match of the return leg since back in 2010, the year of the infamous Triplete.
Inter-Juventus: latest line-up info
Inter’s defence will be without two mainstays in the shape of Bastoni and Skriniar: Bastoni is out with a muscle problem from Porto, while Skriniar clenched his teeth to play in Portugal, but will be unavailable for the Juventus game. A big problem for Inzaghi, who will have to adapt Darmian at the back – this is not the first time the former Torino player has played in this role – ready to keep de Vrij and Acerbi company. On the flanks Dumfries and Dimarco, while in attack Lukaku should win the ballot with Dzeko.
It will be Di Maria, who remained on the bench in the match against Freiburg, who will flank Vlahovic in the Bianconeri’s attack. The Argentine has recovered from a minor physical problem and, as Allegri has confirmed, should start from the 1′. Disqualified Kean, there could be space in the match for Chiesa and Milik, both convalescent. Doubt Bonucci in defence: if the captain doesn’t make it he’ll be replaced by one of Rugani or Gatti.
The Prediction
Inter have a completely different performance at home than away: their only defeats came against Roma and Empoli. In front of their own public, the Nerazzurri have always scored at least one goal, except in the defeat against the Tuscans in January. Juventus, on the other hand, are limping away: away from the Stadium, Allegri’s Bianconeri score few goals (only 11 in 12 games) and have so far suffered four defeats, including the one a fortnight ago against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. On the other hand, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have improved in terms of goals: only Napoli have scored more in 2023. An Italian derby with an uncertain outcome is therefore on the horizon, between two teams in search of certainties. Inter are likely to avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal on each side. Beware of the cards, which could be numerous.
The likely line-ups for Inter-Juventus
- INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, de Vrij, Acerbi; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Lukaku.
- JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczesny; Bremer, Bonucci, Danilo; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria, Vlahovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
