Saturday’s Serie A action closes out with one of the most heavily anticipated fixtures in the calendar as leaders Inter take on top-four hopefuls Juventus. Stadio San Siro forms the backdrop for the 255th edition of the famous Derby d’Italia, and the stakes are as high as ever.

Inter maintained their dominant Serie A form with a stunning 5-0 victory at newly promoted Sassuolo last weekend. In addition to extending their lead over second-placed Milan to eight points, they have now won five consecutive league matches for the second time this season.

However, Milan’s narrow win at Pisa yesterday puts the pressure back on Inter, considering the Rossoneri still have a game in hand. Manager Cristian Chivu will be desperate to post his first high-profile league triumph since taking over from Simone Inzaghi last summer and avenge a controversial 4-3 defeat in September’s reverse fixture.

Juventus claimed bragging rights in this match-up earlier this season under Igor Tudor. Now it’s up to Luciano Spalletti to help the record-time Italian champions complete their first league double over the Nerazzurri since the 2022/23 season. It could prove a season-defining result for the visitors, whose top-four hopes are hanging in the balance.

Level on points with fifth-placed Roma, Juventus had to pull off a sensational late comeback to avoid defeat against Lazio last Sunday, drawing 2-2 at home. Yet, it was no comfort for the Turin faithful following a disappointing 3-0 loss at Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

Match Preview

Inter

Despite losing four times in the opening 12 Serie A rounds, Inter have established themselves as the leading candidates to win the Scudetto on the back of a 12-game unbeaten league run. Furthermore, the Nerazzurri racked up an eye-catching 11 wins during that sequence, barring a 2-2 home draw against Napoli at the beginning of the calendar year.

Chivu’s high-flying men have also won five consecutive games in all competitions since losing to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League last month, scoring multiple goals on each occasion. Delivering action from the get-go, Inter have opened the scoring in a league-high 20 matches this term, going on to post 18 wins (D1, L1).

Inter’s scoring prowess has been off the charts this season, with the Nerazzurri bagging an eye-catching 57 goals, at least 16 more than any other side in the division. However, their remarkable exploits in the final third have not affected their defensive solidity, with Inter keeping more clean sheets (13) than any other team in Serie A.

Juventus

Juventus’ recent drop-off has seen them pick up just one win across their last four competitive games (D2, L1), courtesy of a 4-1 rout of bottom-half Parma in Serie A. Keen to get back to winning ways after clinching a last-gasp draw against Lazio, Juventus will be out to address their travel sickness.

Spalletti’s charges have failed to get on the scoresheet in three of their last four away matches across all competitions (W1, D1, L2). Breaking that ominous trend could prove easier said than done, given that the visitors have lost three away league encounters against current top-eight sides this season.

Therefore, Juventus must seek a fast start at Meazza, not least because they’ve lost all four road fixtures when conceding the opening goal in Serie A this term. An opener may not necessarily set them up for success, but it would likely bring them closer to securing three successive top-flight wins over Inter for the first time since 2013.

Team News

Chivu has received a double injury boost ahead of this mouth-watering fixture, with Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu resuming full training during midweek. Therefore, Denzel Dumfries remains the only notable absentee in the Inter squad, as Luis Henrique prepares for another league start after scoring his first goal for the club against Sassuolo.

On the other hand, Jonathan David is likely to lead the line for Juventus as Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik remain on the sidelines. Francisco Conceicao will be at Spalletti’s disposal after missing the match against Lazio. However, Khephren Thuram could start from the bench due to a minor fitness problem.

Inter vs Juventus Potential Starting Lineups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David.

Inter vs Juventus Prediction

With the home crowd and momentum firmly on their side, Inter will be confident about ending their ‘big game’ Serie A drought under Chivu. However, Juventus have had the Nerazzurri’s number in recent meetings, and given what’s at stake for both sides, this fiercely contested Derby d’Italia could ultimately finish all square.

Prediction: Draw