Serie A: Monza Badly Need a Pick-Me-Up Against the Defending Champs

Monza vs Inter Milan

Monza are winless after the first three matchdays in the 2024-25 Serie A season, and a daunting task awaits them at home on Sunday night, as they will take on Inter Milan next.

This is not the start Alessandro Nesta wanted when he signed up as Monza manager this summer, especially since the Biancorossi have finished within the Top 12 in their last two seasons back in the Italian top-flight.

In contrast, Inter Milan are off to a great start in their title defence because they’re undefeated in their first three matches (W2, D1). The Nerazzurri will not take this game for granted since they need all the momentum they can gather ahead of their Champions League journey.

Despite the pre-game SBOTOP betting odds being in favour of the visitors, this match is expected to be a banger, and here’s our preview.

 

Talking Points

Djuric and Maldini’s time to shine for Monza

Monza were held scoreless against Empoli and Genoa to kick off their campaign, but they regained their shooting boots in the 2-2 draw against Fiorentina last time out.

Milan Djuric and Daniel Maldini found the back of the net against La Viola, and the team will depend on them to score more this year after the departures of Andrea Colpani and Lorenzo Colombo.

Djuric and Maldini combined for seven goals last season.

Daniel Maldini is the team’s most efficient scorer this calendar year, as he has scored one goal every 107 minutes, which should make his dad Paolo proud.

Milan Djuric, on the other hand, is expected aggressive on Sunday, as he has failed to find the back of the net in 448 minutes played against Inter Milan.

If neither of them click, head coach Alessandro Nesta will call on Gianluca Caprari and Matteo Pessina to add to their offence.

 

Thuram carrying Inter Milan

Marcus Thuram is Serie A’s Player of the Month for August and the frontrunner for this year’s Capocannoniere race, as he has already recorded four goals to open Inter Milan’s title defence with a bang.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach star opened his 2024-25 account with a brace in their 2-2 draw against Genoa before scoring twice again last time out in their 4-0 demolition of Atalanta.

With a huge game against Manchester City to commence their Champions League campaign, Thuram is expected to put the Nerazzurri on his back again, as Simone Inzaghi will likely rotate his squad.

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez could be among those rested after playing for Argentina for the past fortnight, so Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic are on standby, ready to link up with Thuram in the final third.

In other Serie A 2024 news, influential midfielder Nicolo Barella should be available for selection on Sunday after he missed Italy’s UEFA Nations League matches in last week’s international break due to an endoscopic procedure on his sinus.

 

History

After going undefeated against Inter Milan in their first two Serie A meetings (W1, D1), Monza have lost their last two league matches against Inter Milan with an aggregate tally of 7-1 last season.

Inter Milan are undefeated at the U-Power Stadium against Monza, and neither team has kept a clean sheet, as they generated a total of 10 goals at this venue.

However, the Nerazzurri have only won one of their last four Serie A away games after a streak of seven consecutive wins, including back-to-back 2-2 draws against Hellas Verona and Genoa.

Monza haven’t won in their last 12 Serie A matches (D5, L7), which is the longest drought currently in the Italian top-flight. The Biancorossi have also failed to score in six of those games.

 

Betting Tip

The Serie A 2024 odds expect the defending champions to leave the U-Power Stadium with three points on Sunday. The Nerazzurri are 1.38 favourites, whereas the Biancorossi are priced at 6.60 to win, and a draw is at 4.35 in the 1X2 market.

Monza and Inter Milan are expected to find the back of the net this weekend, with the visitors likely to score more. So, other than our recommended bet above, bettors may also want to think about alternatives like Over 2.50 at 1.69, Over 2.75 at 1.90, or Total Goal 2-3 at 2.04. Because they’re the underdogs, any scenario that sees Monza taking at least one point offers a huge payday. A goalless draw would give you 14.00 your bet, while Correct Scores of 1-0 and 2-1 in their favour are priced at 19.00 and 23.00.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.