Inter will seek to win 3 matches in a row within the space of a week when they take on Chievo on Sunday 3 May (kick off 15:00).
Inter come into this game on the back of important wins against Roma 2-1 last weekend and Udinese by the same scoreline in midweek which has seen the club rise to just 2 points adrift of a Europa League place with five matches left to play and they are unbeaten in 5 matches.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini was very critical of the team for their performance in the midweek win against a 9 man Udinese team which gave Inter huge problems near the end of the game and the lazy attitude shown by the players will not be tolerated again.
Chievo come to San Siro in decent form and are on a 4 match unbeaten run and sit 12th in the Serie A table.
Last weekend Rolando Maran’s side came from behind to get an impressive 1-1 draw at Lazio and in midweek they beat Cagliari 1-0 to secure their Serie A stay for another season and they will be eyeing up a top half finish.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by GDS:
Samir Handanovic starts as Mancini is expected to change his line up slightly from the team that faced Udinese in midweek.
The main changes in the team will come in defence as captain Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus return after suspensions.
On the right flank Danilo D’Ambrosio is expected to start ahead of Davide Santon and on the left Juan Jesus returns. In central defence Andrea Ranocchia will return to replace Felipe, to partner Nemanja Vidic.
The midfield three is expected to stay the same with Gary Medel, Fredy Guarin and Mateo Kovacic although 18 year old Assane Gnoukouri has been pushing for a starting place.
Hernanes is expected to start in the trequartista role ahead of Xherdan Shaqiri.
Up top Lukas Podolski isn’t expected to start despite his first Inter goal which won the midweek game with Udinese. The Argentine duo of Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio will start.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (4-3-1-2) Handanovic, D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia (c), Vidic, Juan Jesus, Medel, Guarin, Kovacic, Hernanes, Icardi, Palacio.
Bench: Berni, Carrizo, Felipe, Santon, Donkor, Nagatomo, Sciacca, Gnoukouri, Obi, Di Marco, Brozovic, Podolski, Puscas, Shaqiri, Bonazzoli.
Some Stats:
In the earlier fixture between the teams this season, Inter won 2-0 thanks to goals from Andrea Ranocchia and Mateo Kovacic, it was also Roberto Mancini’s first win after his return to the club.
Inter lead in the head to head meetings with Chievo, with 15 wins and 6 draws in their 25 matches.
The last time Chievo beat Inter was on May 18 2014, in a 2-1 win at the Stadio Bentegodi.
Chievo have only won once at San Siro against Inter, back in their debut season in Serie A on December 15 2001 when goals from Bernardo Corradi and Massimo Marazzina either side of a Christian Vieri equaliser were enough for a memorable win.
Inter have failed to make the San Siro a fortress this season with only 6 wins in their 16 matches at home so far in Serie A.
Player to Watch: Mauro Icardi – The Argentine has scored in his last 2 matches which has moved him onto 18 goals in the race for the capo-cannoniere crown, 2 behind Carlos Tevez on 20 and Chievo will be the perfect opposition for him to score again.
My Prediction: Inter 2-0 Chievo
Scorers: Icardi, Hernanes (Inter)
Officials: Referee: Marco Guida Assistants: De Pinto, Di Liberatore
Fourth Official: Meli Additional Assistants: Calvarese, La Penna
Author’s Note: Inter have put together a good unbeaten run which has given them a real chance at Europa League qualification. This is a very important game to win when you look at Inter’s next three fixtures after this match which are against Lazio, Juventus and Genoa. Inter should win comfortably. I believe if Inter do win then they can take the confidence of 3 wins in a row into the final matches of the season.
