Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
In their quest to strengthen the hold on the top of Serie A, Inter Milan are set to host mid-table Genoa at San Siro on Monday evening.
Following a commanding victory over Atalanta, securing their 11th consecutive win, Inter stand poised to clinch the Scudetto at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Genoa aim for a top-half finish as they visit their formidable opponents.
Inter Milan
Maintaining their flawless record in 2024, Inter secured their third consecutive 4-0 victory in the Serie A in mid-week, arguably their most impressive performance yet. They effortlessly handled the in-form Atalanta, with captain Lautaro Martinez further solidifying his lead in the Capocannoniere race by scoring just before halftime.
As the weekend approached, Simone Inzaghi s squad had netted more goals than any other team across Europe s top five leagues this season, amassing an impressive total of 67 goals, placing them four ahead of both Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
With one foot already in the Champions League quarter-finals, although a challenging second leg against Atletico Madrid awaits, and having already secured the Supercoppa Italiana, Inter have set their sights on claiming all three trophies by June, with the Italian title seemingly within their grasp.
Should they emerge victorious on Monday, Inter will have amassed 72 points from 27 Serie A matches, matching their total from the entire 2022/23 campaign. Meanwhile, their main rivals, Juventus and AC Milan, have been left trailing far behind.
In fact, Inter s last dropped points date back to late December when they drew 1-1 with Genoa at Marassi. However, historical data suggests that the Milan giants have a strong track record against Genoa at San Siro, having won their last nine league encounters, and recent form indicates they are poised to extend that streak.
Team News
With recent tendencies to rotate his squad more frequently, Simone Inzaghi might opt for a similar approach on Monday evening, especially considering the potential return of two key first-team players.
Marcus Thuram and Francesco Acerbi have resumed training and could make an appearance for Inter, although Alessandro Bastoni is unavailable due to suspension. Juan Cuadrado and Stefano Sensi remain sidelined with Achilles and ankle injuries, respectively.
Among the fringe players who could earn a starting spot, Alexis Sanchez is likely to step in for Marko Arnautovic upfront. The Chilean may partner with main scorer Lautaro Martinez, who trails only Bayern Munich s Harry Kane in goals scored across Europe s top five leagues this season.
Genoa
Genoa s struggles against Monday s hosts have been evident, with the team failing to secure a win in their last nine top-flight encounters with Inter. During this stretch, they have suffered seven defeats and managed to score just one goal, with their last league victory against Inter dating back to February 2018.
Despite this historical challenge, Genoa will arrive in Italy s second city with a resilient form, having avoided defeat in 10 out of 11 Serie A matches since mid-December. Remarkably, during this period, only Inter remain unbeaten.
Continuing their impressive campaign, following their promotion from Serie B last year, Genoa recently secured a 1-1 draw against Napoli at the Stadio Maradona, followed by a convincing 2-0 home victory over relegation-threatened Udinese. This streak has brought them within three points of securing a top-half position.
Mateo Retegui, who scored the opening goal, has formed a prolific partnership with Albert Gudmundsson, proving to be one of the most productive duos in the league. Notably, Retegui s ability as a finisher stands out, being the only Italian player to have scored at least twice with his right foot, left foot, and head so far this season.
Former Milan striker Alberto Gilardino, now the head coach of Genoa, is undoubtedly pleased with the contributions of his attacking pair, who have significantly contributed to the team s survival prospects. However, upcoming matches against Inter and Juventus in the next two weeks will present a true test for his team.
Team News
Genoa are expected to have nearly a full squad for their trip to Milan, with Johan Vasquez seemingly recovered after sustaining an injury in last week s victory over Udinese. Vasquez is likely to feature in the Grifone s back three at San Siro.
Gilardino will only be missing Alan Matturro, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. With this minor absence, the Genoa boss might opt for an unchanged starting XI from the last match.
Conclusion
In his milestone 300th Serie A match as a manager, Inzaghi is poised to clinch his 179th victory in a convincing manner. With momentum firmly in their favor, Inter will continue to demonstrate relentless form, while Genoa tend to be less formidable away from home.
Verdict: Total goals over 2.5
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
