Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 16/25
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Looking to secure a record seventh consecutive victory over their city rivals, Serie A champions Inter Milan face a struggling AC Milan at San Siro on Sunday.
This season’s first Milan derby arrives with speculation swirling about a potential coaching change for the Rossoneri, who suffered defeat in their Champions League opener. In contrast, Inter have started their title defense strongly and impressed in their recent performance against Manchester City.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan’s dominance in the Derby della Madonnina has been so pronounced that fans have nearly forgotten what a defeat to their fiercest rivals feels like. They have won six consecutive derbies across three competitions, boasting a staggering aggregate score of 14-2. This winning run includes two victories in the 2023 Champions League semifinals, a 5-1 league triumph later that year, and a memorable 2-1 win in April, which sealed their 20th Italian title at Milan’s expense.
Since the 2017/18 season, Inter have won nine of their 14 Serie A encounters with Milan—only against Udinese and Hellas Verona have they registered more victories in that time, and only against Genoa and Sampdoria have they scored more goals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team can now surpass Milan’s record winning streak with another derby victory this weekend. A win would also move Inzaghi into second place for the most derby wins as a coach, with eight, leaving him just two behind Carlo Ancelotti.
Currently third in the Serie A, Inter sit two points behind surprise leaders Udinese, following a frustrating 1-1 draw with Monza last week, where Denzel Dumfries rescued a point with a late equalizer.
Despite that setback, the Scudetto holders remain unbeaten this season and earned a respectable goalless draw against Manchester City in a tactical battle at the Etihad in midweek.
Team News
After missing out on the midweek clash due to a muscular issue, Federico Dimarco is expected to return for Sunday’s Milan derby and may replace Carlos Augusto on Inter’s left flank.
Captain Lautaro Martinez is also likely to be reinstated to the starting lineup. Though ‘El Toro’ has yet to find the net this season and was benched against Manchester City, he has a strong record in the Derby della Madonnina, averaging a goal every other game in 16 appearances against AC Milan.
Marcus Thuram is certain to start up front, having already scored in both of his Serie A derby appearances. The French forward has been in fine form, contributing to six goals in four league matches this season. He now has the chance to join elite company – Ronaldo (1997/98) and Romelu Lukaku (2019/20) – by scoring in each of his first three Milan derbies.
AC Milan
While Inter battled to a hard-fought draw against the Premier League champions, Milan suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool just a day earlier, despite an early strike from Christian Pulisic.
Reports across Italy suggest that new coach Paulo Fonseca’s position is already under threat, with his team managing only one win in their first five matches. Milan currently sit 10th in the Serie A standings with five points, marking their worst start to a season since 2018.
Amid rumors of discord with key players, Fonseca restored Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez to the lineup last week, and the Rossoneri quickly raced to a 4-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Venezia, with goals from Hernandez, Pulisic, Leao, and new signing Youssouf Fofana.
However, the emphatic victory has done little to quiet speculation, with club legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now an adviser to the owners, rumored to be seeking a managerial change. Fonseca knows that ending Inter’s derby winning streak is essential to stave off further pressure.
Milan last tasted derby success in September 2022, shortly after edging out Inter to win the Serie A title, leaving Rossoneri fans eager for another long-overdue triumph.
Team News
Milan’s attacking line will be spearheaded by either Alvaro Morata or Tammy Abraham, with Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao providing support. Leao has been particularly influential against Inter, having been directly involved in five goals, with only Hellas Verona and Roma seeing more from him in Serie A.
A major concern for Fonseca is goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who was forced off in the midweek match. With backup Marco Sportiello still sidelined, teenager Lorenzo Torriani may be called upon to start in the Milan derby.
Ismael Bennacer (ankle), Alessandro Florenzi (ACL), and Malick Thiaw (ankle) are all unavailable due to injuries.
Conclusion
Inzaghi’s Inter are on the verge of making history, having established themselves as clutch performers in high-stakes moments. In contrast, Milan are still far from their peak form.
With superior squad depth and tactical prowess, the Nerazzurri appear well-positioned to secure a seventh consecutive derby victory, underscoring their dominance over their city rivals.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 16/25
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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