John Stones is expected to feature for Inter Milan when they face Real Betis at Stadio Comunale San Nicola on Saturday, with the newcomer tipped to join a three-man defence.

According to a preview from Sports Mole, Stones could line up alongside Alessandro Bastoni and veteran Benjamin Pavard in Cristian Chivu’s defensive unit.

Alessandro Bastoni in an Inter Milan home kit controlling a soccer ball on the pitch
Alessandro Bastoni competes during an Inter Milan match.

The match is Inter’s final friendly before their 2026-27 Serie A title defence begins against Monza on August 22. Chivu has been reinforced by the arrival of seven players this summer, while the club are also thought to be looking for another midfielder and defender.

Squad Options Take Shape

Inter are unbeaten in four pre-season friendlies, winning three of them, including a penalty-shootout victory against Manchester City. They have scored six goals across those games and conceded exactly once in each of the four contests.

In midfield, Aleksandar Stankovic could be joined by Nicolo Barella and Piotr Zielinski. Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram have both returned to training and are likely to be given minutes together during the weekend fixture.

Real Betis, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with Bournemouth on August 8 as they prepared for their La Liga opener against Real Sociedad on August 21. The Spanish side have won five of their seven friendlies and lost only once, including a 3-1 victory over Arsenal on August 5.

Manuel Pellegrini standing on the sidelines wearing a Real Betis training jacket with arms crossed
Manuel Pellegrini during a match as manager of Real Betis.

Saturday will mark the third meeting between Inter and Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Inter won the first encounter 1-0 in 2017, while the teams drew 1-1 in 2022.