AC Milan vs Inter Milan
It’s Serie A, it’s the Derby Della Madonnia, the 223rd Milan derby.
The scene is set in the magnificent San Siro and I dare any SBOBET fan to tell me they’re not at least a bit excited!
As well as having the potential to produce a number of Serie A 2019 highlights in just 90 minutes, this game will also have a big say in deciding the battle for third place.
Only one point separates the city rivals in third and fourth, both rival projects under constant assessment as they strive to recapture former glories.
Talking Points
They both share a stadium and both have shared better days but there are suggestions they are both heading in the right direction again.
Under Gennaro Gattuso’s banner, the Rossoneri generally look stronger and have shown only recently they have improved form, opening up some space between themselves and the other chasers for a Champions League qualifying spot.
Perhaps crucially, they will also have Gattuso on the sidelines for this after he avoided a touchline ban.
The fans’ favourite risked suspension as he was sent to the stands during Milan’s 2-1 win against Chievo last weekend.
However, it was ruled this week that the coach would be fined €15,000 for his troubles and no more.
On their best defensive run since the Fabio Capello era, and with things finally ticking in attack, Milan crave a return to Europe’s top table – a table they have not graced for five years.
Inter, meanwhile, are vying for a quick return after narrowly failing to qualify from a group which was as tough as any.
Manager Luciano Spalletti also knows this is their most important spell of the season.
He also knows their chances of success will be increase if they can get their captain back.
Mauro Icardi scored a dramatic injury-time winner when the sides met earlier in the season but seems no nearer to a return, having gone a month without Inter’s captaincy or playing a match.
A knee problem coincidentally flared up at the same time as he was stripped of the captaincy on February 13.
Radja Nainggolan and centre back Joao Miranda are also injured, merely adding to the absentees, and there is pressure on the likes of Matteo Politano, Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva to score the required goals.
Champions League football and the trappings that go with it is undoubtedly key to both of these clubs making the next step.
It also seems concrete steps are being taken by Milan’s owners Elliott Management, and Inter patrons Suning, to build a new stadium on the site of the current San Siro.
Modelled on the MetLife stadium in New York, the capacity would total 60,000 and have a retractable roof, an interchangeable pitch and various other mod cons that come with all modern stadia, at a projected cost of €600 million.
That would help, of course, but Champions League football would help fill it.
This game will go some way to determining that part of the deal.
History
Last season the sides met on three occasions.
Inter won 3-2 in the game considered their ‘home’ match, while the other encounter ended goalless. Milan also gained a 1-0 victory over their arch rivals in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Both meetings in 2016-17 ended 2-2, while there was also a win apiece for both clubs the campaign before.
The last time Inter enjoyed a league double over Milan was in 2011-12 when they recorded 1-0 and 4-2 victories.
Five of the last 10 meetings have ended all square.
Betting Tip
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AC Milan vs Inter Milan | Asian Handicap AC Milan -0.50 @ 2.47 |
| March 18, 03:30(GMT+8) |
It’s a close run thing. 1X2 odds have Milan @ 2.61 and Inter @ 2.76 with the draw, a popular result in this fixture in recent years, available @ 3.10.
If you fancy a punt on injury-hit Inter, how about Asian Handicap Inter 0.00 @ 2.14.
In what are usually tight games, over 2.50 goals will payout @ 2.25, total goal 0-1 @ 2.84 and total goal 4-6 @ 4.30. Clearly, not many goals are expected!
For Milan to avenge that 1-0 defeat earlier in the season, you can get correct score 1-0 @ 7.00.
For Inter to repeat that success, you can get correct score 0-1 @ 8.00.
Inter’s extra game in midweek may come back to bite them, I believe, following their ultimately unsuccessful Europa League exertions against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Serie A 2019 betting odds slightly favour Milan and so do I.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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