Top of the table Inter travel South to face bottom of the table Salernitana in a match where Inter might put some light between them and the chasing pack. Match today Friday at 20:45 CET.

The league’s strongest and most prolific attack faces the second worst defense as Inter take on bottom of the table Salernitana.

However, in the previous two times the sides have met in the Serie A in Salerno, the home team won. The first time during the 1947/1948 season by 1-0 and the second time during the 1998/1999 season by 2-0.

This home advantage is also reflected when Inter have hosted Salernitana at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, with the Nerazzurri winning 2-1 twice.

Incidentally Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti scored the winner in the 90th minute in the 1998/1999 season.

Riding high on a 5 game win streak, Inter know that a win here might actually allow them to create some sort of gap with the chasing trio of Milan, Atalanta and Napoli, all of which have more difficult matches to play this matchweek.

While important wins in big matches carry a certain gravitas, all three points carry the same weight at the end of the season, and Inter need to ensure that they pick up all points available to them when they’re so heavily favoured.

Simone Inzaghi will probably use the same formation that served him well against Cagliari last week. With just one match left in the calendar year, there isn’t much point in rotating the starting eleven much, especially if no one is nursing any niggles or aches.

Despite trailing the league table and having the worst scoring record, Stefano Colantuono’s side possess considerable attacking firepower; modern-day legend Franck Ribery, last season’s sensation Simy Nwaknwo and ex-Interista Federico Bonazzoli are all on the southerners’ roster.

The lesson is that despite their lowly standings, Salernitana do possess some quality, especially in attach, and Inter need to approach the match with the same clinical seriousness with which they’ve approached all their league matches of late. Three valuable points lie in the balance here.

Team News

The injured trio of Matteo Darmian, Joaquin Correa and Andrea Ranocchia all seem to be close to full recovery, but don’t expect any of them to be called up to the matchday squad before the end of the year.

Probable Inter line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, Di Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Lautaro, Dzeko.

Stats

Last Season: Not played as Salernitana in Serie B.

Last 10 Head to Head: Once again, Inter face a recently promoted team who haven’t played in the Serie A in years. Salernitana last faced Inter in April 1999.

Keep An Eye On

Hakan Calhanoglu: The Serie A’s November player of the month has been in red hot form, scoring an absolute scorcher against visiting Cagliari last week.

If the Turkish playmaker can continue his development and ownership of his new role with the Nerazzurri, expect him to continue scoring and providing goals aplenty.

Officials

Referee: Maurizio Mariani.
Assistant referees: Colarossi and Cecconi.
Fourth Official: Camplone.
VAR: Giacomelli and Paganessi.

Prediction & Concluding Remarks

Prediction & scorers: Salernitana 0 – 3 Inter; with a Dzeko double and a Lautaro goal to win it.

Concluding remarks: Inter must make the most of the wave of positive momentum they’re riding at the moment. In a week where most of their direct competitors are in tricky fixtures, the Nerazzurri must do their part and bring home the three points.