Como vs Inter Milan Prediction: Ruthless efficiency can end Cesc’s dreams

Como look to continue their dazzling season as they face Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi final (20:00 GMT, Premier Sports) this Tuesday, March 3. The Biancoblu have never won a major trophy or competed in Europe. But they’re one game away from the final of this competition and fifth in Serie A under the tutelage of manager Cesc Fabregas.

The party poopers are Inter, nine-time winners of this trophy. Read on for my Como vs Inter Milan predictions.

Team News

Como welcomed 20-year-old winger Assane Diao back at the weekend in their 3-1 win over Lecce. A severe hamstring injury had sidelined the promising Senegal international since before Christmas.

Fabregas will be without Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina, who is out with an ankle injury. The home side will also be missing Dutch forward Jayden Addai due to an Achilles problem.

The Nerazzuri are shorn of their elite goalscorer and inspirational captain; Lautaro Martinez. A calf injury means the striker won’t be adding to his 18 goals this season across all competitions.

Goalkeeper Josep Martinez tends to deputise for first-choice man Yann Sommer in this competition.

Football Odds

Como vs Inter Milan Odds

The hosts are priced at 2/1 to win on the night. Inter are 5/4 to triumph while a draw after 90 minutes plus added time is 12/5.

Inter forward Marcus Thuram is the subject of our Price Boost. If you fancy him to net the first goal that has been moved up from 5/1 to 6/1.

Inter Milan -2.00 handicap @ 8/1

Como are a fine defensive outfit, boasting a better defensive record than table-toppers Inter (20 goals conceded to Inter’s 21). But this Nerazzuri outfit know the way through Como. Inter won their league meeting 4-0 at San Siro.

Como have come a long way since then, on course for a best-ever Serie A finish. But even without Martinez, this Inter side is full of goals. Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny aren’t a bad group of deputies for the talismanic captain.

Inter boast the creativity of Federico DeMarco, who has an eye-popping 14 assists in 25 Serie A games, and Hakan Calhanoglu. 37-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan remains an evergreen attacking threat.

Como are performing admirably, and in Nico Paz they have a midfield artiste of their own. But even if you keep Inter’s two or three most-dangerous players quiet, they have so much attacking verve. There is a reason Inter have scored 18 goals more than the next-best attacking side in Serie A. I think even with this handicap, Inter will lead by enough come full time.

Inter Milan to win @ 13/10

A simple, down-the-line pick. Como are an incredible story. A club transformed under the vision and confidence of former Arsenal and Chelsea string-puller Fabregas. But Inter are efficient and relentless.

Inter haven’t lost a league match since November’s 1-0 defeat to rivals AC Milan. In the 15-game unbeaten run that followed, Cristian Chivu’s side conceded just eight goals. 

The inglorious Champions League exit at the hands of Bodo/Glimt will colour perceptions of Inter outside Italy. But the Serie A giants are a force to be reckoned with on home soil. I don’t think Como can quite reckon with them here.

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