Inter Milan vs. AC Milan, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan Italy 2:45 PM EST Sunday January 24, 2010
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Match Odds: Inter Milan 2.50 / AC Milan 2.90
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
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Before the New Year it looked as if Inter Milan were well on their way to winning their 5th straight Italy Serie A title, but a red-hot AC Milan is on their heels, as they are only 6 points back of Inter and have played one less match. How red-hot is AC Milan? Well, in any competition they only have one loss since September and playmaker Ronaldinho has arguably been the best player in the Italian league this season with 9 goals and 8 assists.
AC Milan won every match they have played in 2010 (4-0).
Inter does have 2 wins and one draw in 2010, but their two wins were by a single goal and they had to come from behind for a 2-2 draw in their last match against Bari.
If AC Milan can win this match and their next one against Fiorentina, which will mean Inter and AC Milan will have played the same number of matches, they will be tied for first place with Inter.
Inter still has scored the most goals in Serie A this season, as they have scored 43 goals and AC Milan has scored 35. Both teams are tied with the fewest goals given up in the league at 35.
AC Milan’s David Beckham has played well while coming over on his loan from the L.A. Galaxy and even though young Brazilian striker Pato has been out Marco Borriello has picked up the scoring slack. AC Milan has a ton of confidence and they will be tough to beat in this Derby match.
Inter Milan would not mind a draw in this match, but AC Milan is chasing them and anything but a victory will be a disappointment.
Inter Milan Recent Form:
1/16/2010 Bari 2 Inter Milan 2 (Serie A)
1/9/2010 Inter Milan 4 Siena 3 (Serie A)
1/6/2010 Chevio 0 Inter Milan 0 (Serie A)
12/20/2009 Inter Milan 1 Lazio 0 (Serie A)
12/16/2009 Inter Milan 1 Livorno 0 (Coppa Italia)
AC Milan Recent Form:
1/17/2010 AC Milan 4 Siena 0 (Serie A)
1/13/2010 AC Milan 2 Novara 1 (Coppa Italia)
1/10/2010 Juventus 0 AC Milan 3 (Serie A)
1/6/2010 AC Milan 5 Genoa 2 (Serie A)
12/13/2009 AC Milan 0 Palermo 2 (Serie A)
Inter Milan is dealing with injuries, as MF Rene Krhin, DF Cristian Chivu, MF Dejan Stankovic, MF Sulley Ali Muntari, and MF Thiago Motta are all hurt and will not play in this match. One big player that is out, but not injured is Samuel Eto’o, who is playing in the African Cup of Nations and his absence may hurt Inter’s offensive attack.
For AC Milan FW Pato, DF Massimo Oddo, DF Oguchi Onyewu, and DF Gianluca Zambrotta are all out for this Derby match due to injuries. MF Mathieu Flamini and FW Clarence Seedorf are also nursing injuries, but are available for this match. Main defender Alessandro Nesta is doubtful in this match due to injury and that may really hurt the AC Milan defense.
Inter will probably play a 4-2-3-1 formation in this match, while Milan will probably be in a 4-3-3 formation.
FW Ronaldinho has played well all season and he will really play well in this big match so look for him to find the back of the net or to at least assist on a goal.
One of the reasons Inter is so tough to beat is their stellar midfield, as they will thwart many offensive advances in this match and set up a few scoring chances.
Diego Milito has been great for Inter this season with 12 goals and 3 assists and with Samuel Eto’o not playing in this match he will have to provide the offense and he will, scoring at least one goal.
Inter G Julio Cesar has not got much press this season, but he is the rock of the defense and he will be peppered in this match, as AC Milan really needs a win and will press forward on offense.
Jason’s Pick: You would think that since AC Milan is on fire and Inter is not AND they do not have Samuel Eto’o in the lineup that AC Milan would be the pick. Well, you would be wrong, I think Inter will play a great match on defense and score at least 2 goals in this match. Take Inter to win this Derby match extending their lead in Serie A.
