Juventus vs Inter Milan Prediction: Low scorer expected in top-of-the-table clash

When you bring in a new Serie A writer, you couldn't ask for a better game for him to kick-off with than a top-of-the-table clash and that is exactly what we have this upcoming Sunday evening.

Daniele Fisichella previews the game and picks out his two Best Bets ahead of the Juventus vs Inter Milan match, live on TNT Sports this weekend...

Nicknamed the ‘Derby d’Italia’ Juventus vs Internazionale is the most anticipated game of this Serie A campaign. Italy’s most titled clubs have an historic rivalry and this season Massimiliamo Allegri’s men are considered by many the only ones that can challenge for the Scudetto alongside the Nerazzurri.

Since Allegri returned to Turin in 2021 Juventus haven’t really been in a title race, but with only two points separating them from leaders Inter this match is a great opportunity for the Bianconeri, who were last crowned champions in 2020, to reaffirm themselves as a dominating force in the peninsula.

However, the visitors arrive to this match as favourite (a win for Internazionale pays 5/4), thanks to their excellent start of the season. Reaching last year’s Champions League final, and producing such a valiant display against Manchester City, has given the Nerazzurri extra confidence in their abilities as well as the capacity to keep calm in difficult circumstances.

Inter have got both the best attack (29 goals scored) and defence (only six conceded) in Serie A and have taken the lead in all their league games and three out of four Champions League games.

The feeling is that Inter will dominate the possession, but they’ll have to stay patient if they want to avoid last season’s mistakes. In fact, in 2022/2023 Juventus won both league games against Inter Milan, despite arguably playing less well than the Milanese side, as Allegri’s cautious approach managed to stop Inter finding a good rhythm.

Team News:

There are couple of big players missing in each camp. Juventus will be without Brazilian international Danilo (out until at least at the end of the month), De Sciglio and Timothy Weah who’s expected to be back next month.

Alex Sandro, who only played two games this season, should be fit to make at least the bench and 18-year-old Yildiz Kenan, who scored on his debut with Turkey against Germany, will be also amongst the substitutes. Juventus are also short in midfield as both Paul Pogba, suspended because of alleged doping, and Nicolò Fagioli, banned until the end of the season for illegal betting, will also miss out.

Inter Milan have got some injuries to deal with especially in defence. Benjamin Pavard will be out until mid-December and Alessandro Bastoni picked up a muscular injury will Italy and will miss out the game on Sunday.

Juan Cuadrado (who spent eight years playing for Juve) is also unlikely to feature whereas there’s hope Albanian international Kristian Asslani might recover in time to be on the bench.

Juventus vs Inter Milan Odds:

Despite playing with the same system, 3-5-2, the two sides could not be more different in their approach to games. Allegri can count on some of the best strikers in Italy (as Moises Kean is expected to start ahead of Dusan Vlahovic) but has hardly improved Juventus ability to dominate games and score goals.

Games of such importance in Italy are rarely high scoring affairs and I’d expect this one to be a slow burner. It comes right after the international break and both managers had only a couple of days to properly prepare the match. Under 2.5 goals pays 8/11 and over is EVS.

The draw (9/4) won’t be a bad result for neither of the two teams, although Juventus would be the happiest. Their main goal is to remain in touching distance with Inter up until the end of February when not having to play in Europe might represent a big advantage for the Turin club.

Bet 1 - Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11

Juventus finished last season with the sixth best attack in Serie A and things haven’t improved in this campaign: they currently have the 7th best attack as Inter have scored 10 goals more than them.

But, considering Allegri’s limited options in midfield, where, unlike Inter, Juve miss creativity, what else could they do apart from wait to capitalize on the opponents’ mistakes?

The Tuscan manager must be given credit to fixing the team after their horror show at Sassuolo (4-2 defeat) in matchday six as Juventus kept six clean sheets in the last seven games.

The question is how long can they offer such speculative and un-entertaining displays and continue to achieve good results?

Bet 2 Correct score: 1-1 @ 11/2

If Simone Inzaghi’s men do not take an early lead, the game might become very cagey as were the previous meetings. Since 2021 there have been more than 2.5 goals scored in only two of the eight matches between these two sides.

This is a scenario that would suit Allegri whose players are used to defend and make the most of tight margins.

However, Inter Milan, who changed many players in the summer, but are not weaker than last year, could make the most of subs such as Italy and Brazil internationals Davide Frattesi and Carlos Augusto in the second half.

Juventus chances of getting a win rely a lot on the form of Federico Chiesa (he’s 16/5 as anytime goal scorer), who was Italy’s best player against North Macedonia and Ukraine.

Chiesa (four goals so far this season) and Filip Kostic (two goals and one assist against Inter last year. He’s 12/1 to score on Sunday), could get some joy down Inter’s right hand side against Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian.

The visitors are very strong in wide areas and if they’ll be able to switch the play quickly from Dimarco to Dumfries, they could create good crossing opportunities or open the space for Nicolò Barella (no goals so far this season) to have a go at it: the Italian international is 18/1 to score anytime.

But you can’t underestimate Serie A top goal scorer Lautaro Martinez (4/1 to score, the Argentine has scored three goals in 15 games against Juventus) or Hakan Çalhanoğlu (8/1). The Turkosh is Inter’s penalty taker and has converted all his last 11 kicks from the spot.

This season the Neroazzurri have the record in Europe for penalties taken in all competitions: eight so far, six of them in Serie A.

You can read all of Daniele's football previews along with those from the rest of the Betfred Insights' team on our Football Betting Tips hub page...