Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker:
Simply looking to widen their buffer at the top of the Serie A standings, Inter Milan will welcome Empoli to the San Siro on Monday night.
Inter Milan
Starting with the hosts, while Inter Milan might have suffered Champions League heartbreak earlier in the month as they watched their European adventure come to an end at the hands of Atletico Madrid, the Nerrazzuri are in the midst of an iconic domestic romp. Heading into March’s international break holding a remarkable 14-point buffer at the top of the table, the Italian heavyweights will simply be looking to make another statement here. Continuing to receive a string of praise and breezing their way to a 20th Serie A crown in 2024. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their 29 top-flight appearances this season, Inter Milan will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Landing a 1-0 victory when they met Empoli for their reverse Serie A showdown back on September 24th, Monday s hosts have lost just one of their previous 20 meetings against the Azzurri across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to April 2016.
Team News
Despite dealing with a minor knock during March’s international break, Swiss shot-stopper Yann Sommer has returned to first-team training and the 35-year-old will start between the sticks here. However, undergoing surgery on an Achilles tendon injury back in December, former Juventus star Juan Cuadrado will not feature on Monday night.
Continuing to shine this season and notching 23 goals in his 26 Serie A appearances this season, attacking talisman Lautaro Martinez will spearhead Inter’s charge. Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij will be hoping to make a first domestic appearance since March 3rd.
Empoli
As for the visitors, while Empoli might have eventually kept hold of their Serie A status last season, the Blues are dealing with another domestic nightmare this time around. Last seen heading into March’s international break with a 1-0 loss at home against Bologna, Davide Nicola’s men will certainly be bracing themselves for a heavyweight challenge here. Marking their return from the fortnight interval holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, the Florence-based outfit have lost all of their last three Serie A appearances on the bounce. Tipped as a landslide underdog when they travel to the San Siro on Monday night, Empoli have also gained a reputation for their glaring issues in the final third. It should be highlighted, Nicola’s side have failed to notch a single goal in almost 300 minutes of top-flight action.
Team News
Despite dealing with respective injury issues prior to March’s international break, Empoli are hopeful that the duo of Alberto Grassi and Ardian Ismajli can feature on Monday night. Likewise, after serving a one-match suspension against Bologna earlier in the month, Italian U21 international Jacopo Fazzini is free to make a full return here.
Notching three goals in his first six appearances after completing a January switch from Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor, 29-year-old M’Baye Niang will lead Empoli’s attack at the San Siro. One-time Ajax star Razvan Marin will start at the heart of Nicola’s midfield here.
Key Factors to Consider
