Sampdoria-Inter is a Serie A Week 22 match to be played on Monday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
Napoli, up front, continue to not give an inch. While Luciano Spalletti’s Neapolitans are in a league of their own – as evidenced by last night’s resounding victory over hapless Cremonese to move 16 points clear of second place – there is a Champions League zone where the tussle is on.
And leading the group of teams likely to compete for three of the top four places is Inter. That in Marassi against a gasping Sampdoria has the opportunity to consolidate the second place and try to detach the pursuers. Now behind the Nerazzurri there is the daring Atalanta, while the Romans have both slowed down. Simone Inzaghi’s men have almost always won in the matches since January, apart from the draw at Monza and the unexpected defeat at home against Empoli. What’s more, they have beaten their Milan cousins twice, first in the Supercoppa Italia and then in the league: a week ago the result was less rounded (1-0) than in the derby played in Saudi Arabia, but Lautaro Martinez and his teammates once again showed they were better than the Rossoneri. In the derby, then, came yet another clean sheet in 2023: in the last six games only Cremonese have been able to pierce the Nerazzurri’s net, whose progress in ball possession is evident.
Samp, situation increasingly serious
Not good news for the blucerchiati coached by Dejan Stankovic, who is linked to Inter due to his playing history. Sampdoria were unblocked from the offensive point of view in the match in Monza (2-2), returning to scoring after more than a month of fasting, but they only brought home a little point, which is of little use given the standings.
Gabbiadini
The Brianzoli drew level in mid-recovery with a Pessina penalty, breaking Stankovic’s dreams of victory and worsening a situation that still looks very critical. And on which the serious company problems also weigh heavily. Samp, in addition to barely scoring 10 goals – the worst figure in the major European leagues – is currently second-last, with nine points to make up on fourth-last place. The first leg ended 3-0 to Inter, but in recent fixtures at the ‘Ferraris’ the Nerazzurri have had frequent missteps, with one defeat and one draw between 2021 and 2022.
Sampdoria-Inter: latest line-up news
Stankovic isn’t lucky with injuries either. Quagliarella, stopped by physical problems, is still in doubt, while new arrival Gunter is out in addition to the long-suffering Conti and Pussetto. Gabbiadini and Lammers will duet up front, with Djuricic at his back. On the other hand, the call-up of former Real Madrid and Psg striker Jesé, who has just been recruited from the free agents, remains to be seen. On the right is Zanoli, who completes a midfield with Winks, Rincon and Augello. The Moroccan Sabiri can come in as the game progresses.
At Inter, Lukaku and Dzeko are competing for a shirt: this time the Belgian can win over the Bosnian. The other questions concern the two flanks: Darmian should get the better of Dumfries, while on the left there is a tight battle between Gosens and Dimarco. Correa out.
The prediction
Sampdoria are in no position to make any calculations: they must aim to win, without ifs and buts, despite the opponent being far superior. Stankovic’s team will put their pride into it, as they did a fortnight ago in Bergamo, but it might not be enough: Inter are healthy and are favourites for the three points. However, we hypothesise a prolific match, in the wake of the last clashes between the two teams at Marassi. At least three goals are expected, and it cannot be ruled out that the Blucerchiati will also find the way to the goal.
The likely Sampdoria-Inter line-up
- SAMPDORIA (3-4-1-2): Audero; Amione, Nuytinck, Murru; Zanoli, Winks, Rincon, Augello; Djuricic; Lammers, Gabbiadini.
- INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Çalhanoglu, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Lukaku.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
