Inter Milan vs Genoa
Italy – Serie A
Date: Saturday, 21 December 2019
Kick-off at 17:00 UK / 18:00 CET
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza – San Siro (Milan)
Inter won the last of their 18 league titles in 2010, but their form in the opening months of the campaign 2019-20 shows that they must be able to make a strong challenge for the crown this season. It would be hard to wrestle the title from Juve dominant team, but the victory against Genoa will see them return to the top on goal difference.
A record of 12 wins, three draws and one defeat from 16 games has brought Inter 39 points, three of leaders Juve and three points clear of third-placed Lazio, who will also feel that they are in the title argument at this point.
Not to the best December for the team Conte, though, because they have been held by Roma and Fiorentina in their last two league games, in addition to exit the Champions League at the group stage.
Inter European trip this season will continue in the Europa League - where they have been drawn with Ludogorets in the last 32 - and Conte will be hoping that his squad is stronger when the two-legged affair rolls around.
Not exactly a great sign for Genoa when considering that they have lost their last two league games against Inter with a 9-0 aggregate score. That said, the Red and Blues did beat Inter at home in February 2018.
Genoa had actually won the Italian league title on nine occasions, although their last success came in 1924. While they have not been near the top in recent years, the club has been in Serie A since 2007.
Indeed, since the 2006-07 campaign has competed team outside the top flight, but there is no question that they are in a relegation battle heading into the winter break.
Indeed, a total of only 11 points from 16 games has left them in 19th place in the table, four points from the safety of 17th place. Thiago Motta's side have won only two league games this season, suffered nine defeats in the process.
Worryingly for Genoa, they have not triumphed in Serie A since the end of October, which is a run that stretches back seven games. That said, Il Grifone only narrowly lost in Juve earlier this season and will fancy their chances of causing an injury-hit Inter a few problems on Saturday night.
Inter Milan vs Genoa: Predictions
Nerazzurri seven successive wins on the road stopped because they allow Fiorentina to rescue a point two minutes into stoppage time.
Without a win in three matches in all competitions, table-toppers from Milan will be looking to set things right against the relegation-threatened Grifoni on Saturday and returned to victory lane. Antonio Conte's men have won six of the last nine Serie A matches and scored 18 goals goals in the process.
Inter Milan have the third best home record in the league with five wins, two draws and one defeat at the Giuseppe Meazza, an average of 1.63 goals per game and 0.75 reward delivery.
Genoa's poor form continued as they suffered a 0-1 defeat them from Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna. With 2 wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats, they are now second-to-last, two points above the rock-bottomed SPAL and four points away from the current-secure Udinese.
The Rossoblu have taken just three points from their last seven games, and without a victory since a 3-1 win over Brescia on Thiago Motta debut.
il Grifoni has one of the worst away record in the league with four draws and four losses, netting 1.13 goals per game, while conceding 2.50. 75 percent of the games the way they have over 2.5 goals.
Normally, I would take Inter at -1.5 disabilities to out-of-sorts Genoa side, but I had to choose something else as the Nerazzurri plagued with injuries and suspensions.
The hosts will field a second-string midfield as Sensi, Barella and Brozovic are definitely out, they Gagliardini reserve wing-Asamoa very doubtful to make and Lautaro Martinez (8 goals) at the exit to the accumulation of yellow cards.
The visitors will be without injured Zapata, Lerager and scorer Chirstian Kouame (for the season), while Pandev suspended. Without Kouame and Pandev in the team, Genoa mustered just one shot on target vs. Sampdoria last week.
With the 1-0, 2-0 hunch, I chose Under 3 goals and Lukaku scored anytime.
Inter Milan vs Genoa: Betting Tips
Under 3 Goals (Asian Total) @ 1.84
Romelu Lukaku (Inter) To Score Anytime @ 1.83
