Inter Milan vs Atalanta
Serie A league leaders Inter Milan are back in action, at the end of this weekend, when in form Atalanta are the visitors to the San Siro.
It will be a huge test of the hosts’ chances of wrestling the Scudetto away from Turin where Juventus have hoarded it for the last nine seasons. The Serie A 2021 betting odds are backing Antiono Conte to be the first manager to bring the league title to Milan since Jose Mourinho’s time as head coach. Challengers Juventus have a ‘now’ or ‘never’ fixture at home to Lazio this weekend and if they slip up, and I Nerazzurri can see off Atalanta, then Conte could become the hero of the blue and black half of Milan.
But it won’t be easy. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta have recovered brilliantly from a sluggish start to the 2020/21 campaign and their swashbuckling style has fired them into the top four places, while they are still in with a chance of progressing in this season’s Champions League.
One thing’s for sure. With some of Serie A’s sharpest shooters on show at the San Siro, we expect to see goals.
Talking Points
Title is Inter’s to lose
No football fan wants to hear it, but if Inter carry on their current level of performances then surely the Scudetto will be theirs. It may be tempting fate to say it, but Conte’s side don’t look like blowing a six point lead. They have been formidable in attack and defence and if their rearguard has a rare off day then they have strikers who can score more than the team concedes.
A hard fought 2-1 win at Parma on Thursday night gave Conte’s side some breathing space at the top of the table, and with 13 games to play that’s a handy margin. It was a special night for Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez who scored both Inter goals but he is by no means the main man in the Nerazzurri’s attack.
Romelu Lukaku with 18 goals and Lautaro Martinez with 13 have formed a potent strike partnership and they will seriously test the Atalanta defence. Martinez was brilliant as Inter won the recent Milan derby 3-0, scoring a double and running the Rossoneri defence ragged.
Wing back Achraf Hakimi is a dangerous customer on the flank and he should make a starting place, while midfield general Marcelo Brozovic will aim to break up Atalanta’s attacks while supporting his own front men.
Goal Happy Atalanta back on song
Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta have become renowned for their attacking prowess and they have been in superb form in recent weeks, scoring 11 goals in three consecutive victories, including a 5-1 hammering of Crotone last week when five different players were on the score-sheet
Colombian duo Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata, with 15 and nine goals, are a real handful.
Muriel has joined the race for the Capocannoniere, five goals behind Juventus’ superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and three behind Lukaku, while midfield man Robin Goosens has also weighed in with nine strikes.
Midfielder Josip Ilicic has made seven assists this season and adds a touch of real quality to Atalanta’s talented squad. They can trouble any team on their day, but they will have to be at their best to break down the tightest defence in the division.
History
Inter have won just over half of the last 45 meetings between these two clubs, claiming 23 victories, since 1994, to Atalanta’s nine and there have been 13 draws.
The return fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in an entertaining game as both team created a hatful of chances. Matrinez put Inter Milan ahead before Aleksei Mirnachuk equalised for La Dea.
Both teams have turned in impressive Serie A 2021 results in recent weeks, and each has won five from the last six in all competitions, though Inter’s other result was a Coppa draw, with Juventus, while Atalanta lost their Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against Real Madrid.
Gasperini’s side will travel with real confidence though as they have won the last four away games on the trot.
Betting Tip
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Inter Milan vs Atalanta | 1X2 Draw @ 3.40 |
| March 9, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
Inter are at 1.99 to win this fascinating clash, here at SBOTOP, and Atalanta are at 3.40
to derail I Nerazzurri’s title charge.
But I think the visitors have enough to earn another point, and can see a scoring draw, which wouldn’t be a disaster for either team.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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