Preview: Hellas Verona vs. Inter Milan – prediction, team news, lineups

One of six sides within two points of the Serie A summit, the reigning champions Inter Milan continue their title defense on Saturday when they visit Hellas Verona.

While Inter were only a spot kick away from the top the table before the international break, Verona have lost four of their last five games and are leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Match preview

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Keeping them a point behind their visitors in the standings, a night of mixed fortunes for the set-piece specialists Hakan Calhanoglu so Inter settled for a draw at home against league leaders Napoli last time out.

Although the Nerazzurri’s Turkish star headed home a brilliant equalizer just before the break, his failure to extend an excellent record from the penalty spot later cost them two points.

Calhanoglu’s miss stunned the San Siro and ended a run of 19 successful attempts dating back to 2016, ultimately ending his side’s three-game winning streak.

Inter had previously held off Empoli, Venezia and Arsenal without conceding a single goal, and victory over the latter leaves them just two points off top spot in Champions Leaguehalfway through the league phase.

Although the Scudetto holders have picked up 25 points in Serie A this season, it is six fewer than at this point last term, so head coach Simone Inzaghi will be keen to embark on another successful streak starting on Saturday.

Ahead of their trip to Verona, Inzaghi’s side are two away wins from matching the club’s top-flight record of 13 in a calendar year – and Inter have scored at least once in their last 13 visits to the Stadio Bentegodi.

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In all, Verona have lost 40 league games against Inter and won just four; The Gialloblu have actually played 26 matches since they last posted a Serie A win over the Milan giants.

Victims of a fantastic Moise Kean hat-trick just before the break, Hellas have lost to Fiorentina, Lecce, Atalanta BC and Monza in their last five matches, with crisis club Roma defeating them 3-2.

Like the sharp end of Italy’s top tier, the bottom half of Serie A is pretty congested after 12 rounds, with Verona sitting just three points above the relegation places.

Owners of the league’s worst defensive record, Paolo Zanetti‘s men are sending goals at a rate of 2.25 per match, which bodes poorly given Inter’s abundant attacking potential.

But to draw in the league or cup this season, the Scaligeri have secured three of their four wins so far at the Bentegodi and that could boost confidence ahead of the champions’ arrival.

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

Inter Milan Serie A form:

Inter Milan form (all competitions):

Team news

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With Hakan Calhanoglu picking up a muscle injury while on international duty, Inter’s playmaker cannot atone for his penalty miss this weekend – neither the Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi or Albania’s Kristjan Asllani will replace him.

With wing-back Carlos Augusto Simone Inzaghi, available again after a spell on the sidelines, should have an otherwise full squad to choose from.

Captain Lautaro Martinez has scored six goals in eight games against Verona to date, but after returning late from Argentina’s recent World Cup qualifying camp, either Mehdi Taremi – who scored for Iran on Tuesday – Joaquin Correa or Marko Arnautovic could replace him next Marcus Thuram in front.

Meanwhile, Verona will be without midfield support Ondrej Duda until December, after he returned from Slovakia duty with an injury.

Juan Cruz and Martin Frese is still on the sidelines and Diego Coppola have sprained an ankle, but Pawel Dawidowicz is back in action and Dailon Livramento is available after serving a suspension against Fiorentina.

Leading the hosts’ attack, Benfica on loan Casper Tengstedt has scored four goals since moving to Serie A this summer, despite producing just five shots on target.

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:
Montipo; Tchatchoua, Dawidowicz, Magnani, Bradaric; Belahyan, Serdar; Suslov, Kastanos, Lazovic; Tengstedt

Inter Milan possible starting line-up:
Summer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Correa, Thuram

We say: Hellas Verona 0-2 Inter Milan

Given their dismal record against Inter and a distinct lack of form before international football intervened, Verona will approach this game with some trepidation.

Keen to keep the pressure on Napoli and their fellow title challengers, the Nerazzurri will certainly not slip up in one of their happiest hunting grounds.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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