Prediction: Inter Milan vs Genoa

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 41/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

Serie A will become the latest elite European league to get underway this weekend as fans prepare to celebrate Italian football just over a month after their national team’s triumph at Euro 2020. In terms of the league itself there’s a whole lot of intrigue behind what could happen at the top end of the table, and one team who will have more eyes on them than most is Inter Milan as they prepare to host Genoa in the first game of their title defence.

Inter Milan

The loss of Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Conte has rightly led to a parade of questions regarding the direction Inter Milan are heading in. There was disagreement behind the scenes regarding Inter’s transfer policy during the current summer transfer window and we appear to be seeing that play out before our very eyes. Whether or not there are further complexities behind that remains to be seen, but all that’s left is to see what they look like on the pitch in front of their adoring fans.

Genoa

A midtable finish for Genoa was around where many would’ve expected them to end up last season and this time around, the thought process seems to be “more of the same”. They’re a stable side in the top flight but they don’t exactly have many world beaters to their name, and if they want to acquire them, it’ll take a few more years of stability before they try and lure in anyone of significance.

Factors to Consider

• Inter won Serie A last season with 91 points whereas Genoa finished 11th with 42 points.
• In their last meeting back in February, Inter beat Genoa 3-0.
• Genoa have already begun their domestic season with a 3-2 win over Perugia in the Coppa Italia.
• Inter scored 89 goals and conceded 35 in Serie A last season.
• Genoa scored 47 goals and conceded 58 in Serie A last season.

Conclusion

It’s hard not to feel a lingering anxiety within this Inter Milan team and given everything they’ve gone through up to this point, it makes a lot of sense. From player sales to coaching changes they need to get their head in the right place, and we don’t think they’re ready for the start of the new season yet. Genoa aren’t exactly an elite side within the ranks of Italian football but we still anticipate they’ll have enough to secure a nervy draw here.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 41/10

Bookmaker: 888sport