Inter host Firoentina on Sunday evening knowing that a win against La Viola would see Inter move to within a point of the visitors.
Both sides have been busy this week in the Europa League with Inter beating Celtic 1-0 to win (4-3) on aggregate, and Fiorentina beating Tottenham 2-0 to qualify (3-1) on aggregate.
Inter have risen to 8th place after 3 league wins in a row, a feat that hasn’t been achieved since November 2012.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in the league since 6 January and sit in 5th place in the standings.
This is the probable Inter line-up, subject to change, as reported by GDS on Sunday morning:
Samir Handanovic should return to goal after missing the last two games with a bruised foot.
In defence, the newspaper reports that Hugo Campagnaro will start at right back with a central defensive pairing of Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus. At left back Roberto Mancini will rest Davide Santon so Danilo D’Ambrosio should start in his place. New signing Felipe Diaz from Parma is on the bench.
In midfield Marcelo Brozovic replaces Hernanes who played against Celtic in midweek. Alongside Brozovic will be Gary Medel and Fredy Guarin.
In the trequartista role Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to keep his place in the team ahead of Mateo Kovacic.
Up top Rodrigo Palacio drops out to be replaced by Lukas Podolski, who will partner capo-cannoniere Mauro Icardi.
Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-3-1-2): Handanovic, Campagnaro, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, D’Ambrosio, Guarin, Medel, Brozovic, Shaqiri, Icardi, Podolski.
Bench: Carrizo, Berni, Dodo, Santon, Andreolli, Vidic, Felipe, Hernanes, Kuzmanovic, Kovacic, Palacio, Puscas.
Some stats:
In the reverse fixture back in October Fiorentina won 3-0 thanks to goals from Babacar, Cuadrado and Tomovic.
This will be the 154th meeting between Inter and Fiorentina in Serie A. Inter lead the way with 63 wins compared to Fiorentina’s 40 wins.
Inter have won each of their last 12 games against Fiorentina at home, keeping a clean sheet in 6 of those games.
Player to watch: Xherdan Shaqiri – Shaqiri returns to league action after being very quiet against Celtic in midweek. If he can control this game we will be in for a treat.
My Preiction: Inter 2-1 Fiorentina
Scorers: Icardi, Shaqiri (Inter), Diamanti (Fiorentina)
Officials: Referee: Massa Assistants: Vuoto, Preti
Fourth official: Ranghetti Additional assistants: Di Bello, Candussio
Author’s Note: I fear when I look at our right hand side of defence, and when you look at Fiorentina’s pace, I think Campagnaro and Ranocchia shouldn’t be playing. Inter will have to outscore Fiorentina with these 2 players in the line-up as we will definitely concede. Our defence will need their best performance of the season but I think a win is achievable with our midfield and Mauro Icardi on form.
