Serie A: Sunday in Bologna for In-form Inter

Bologna vs Inter Milan

Top Serie A action comes to Bologna on Sunday as high-flying Inter Milan make the 200km trip to take on Thiago Motta’s well drilled side.

Inter Milan are the closest to Napoli in the race for the 2023 Scudetto, but a full 15 points behind the Azzurri. The Serie A 2023 betting odds have all but handed the title to Napoli, and Inter boss Simone Inzaghi has his sights firmly set on a top two place… but the nightmare scenario is form his team to drop out of the Champions League places.

Only six points separate second-placed Inter from Atalanta in sixth.

With a decent set of Serie A 2023 results over the past few weeks eighth placed Bologna are nine points adrift of Atalanta in the final guaranteed Europa qualification spot and level on 32 points with Juventus, and they come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win away to Sampdoria. Meanwhile Inter Milan were in Champions League action on Wednesday with a home fixture against FC Porto, which they navigated carefully, winning 1-0.

Talking Points

Lukaku back on song

Inter fans will be delighted to see their lethal partnership of 2021 back together. Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku fired I Nerazzurri to a first Scudetto in 11 seasons but then the Belgian striker went back to Chelsea to try his hand in the Premier League once again. It didn’t work out for Lukaku at Stamford Bridge, though he’s not the only player to have struggled in West London over the past 12 months, and he’s back at the San Siro where his old mate Martinez is still top scoring, with 13 goals in the league.

It was Lukaku who bagged the 86^th minute winner against FC Porto on Wednesday, reacting quickly to fire in the rebound after his header had crashed against the crossbar. Porto are a very good side and they had chances to go ahead, but when Otavio was sent off with 15 minutes remaining the Italians took advantage and will head to Portugal in three weeks time, in the box seat.

Inter beat Udinese 3-1 last time out in the league and Lukaku and Martinez were both on target, the third goal coming from former Manchester United and Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. With Lukaku back in the fold wide men Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicola Barella have every chance of improving on their five assists each and things are looking good for Inter.

Juventus have a mountain to climb following their recent points deduction and I Nerazzuri have three Champions League places to aim for; but Inzaghi will not want to leave anything to chance.

Bologna bounce back

After winning back-to-back games against Spezia and Fiorentina, Bologna slipped up when they were last at home, losing 1-0 to mid table Monza.

Head coach Motta, a former Inter Milan midfielder and a combative player, has instilled a tough mentality at the club and they recovered from the setback against Monza with the impressive victory over Sampdoria. I Rossoblu are led by Roberto Soriano, a box-to-box midfielder who has been with the club since 2019, and the attack has been spearheaded by the feisty former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic who has plundered eight goals this season and has 22 in 48 games for Bologna.

One more player to watch is flying winger Ricardo Orsolini who, with six goals and three assists, has been in fine form and he scored the last minute winner to hand Bologna all three points in Sampdoria

History

Inter Milan have enjoyed plenty of success against these opponents winning 31 of the last 49 encounters while drawing eight and losing ten. And Inzaghi’s team destroyed Bologna at the San Siro this season, winning 6-1 as Martinez and Calhanoglu both got on the score sheet, though Bologna won this fixture 2-1 last term.

In terms of recent form the visitors are stronger, with five wins and a draw over the past six games while Bologna have won three drawn one, and lost two in all competitions; and I Nerazzurri are unbeaten away from home in eight games.

Betting Tip

Bologna are at SBOTOP odds of 4.26 to win this match and 3.30 to draw with the Double Chance priced at 1.96. Motta has an effective unit and they are well worth their eighth place but Inter have more quality in depth and a bigger incentive to win.

I expect Inzaghi’s side to stay in second place by the end of the weekend.

 

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