More Than Pride at Stake in Milan Derby

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Recent years have not been kind to Inter and AC Milan as both clubs have watched on as Juventus have taken control of Italian football.

Neither club has mounted a serious title challenge for some time and even qualifying for the Champions League has proved to be out of reach.  However, following significant investment in the summer, the Milan giants expect great things this season and if not a significant title challenge, at least a Champions League qualifying position.

Inter Milan are classed as the home team for this fixture and they will be aiming to build on what has been a good start to the 2017/18 Serie A campaign.

They come into the weekend fixtures in third place in the table, with 19 points from their 7 matches played.  They have won six of their seven games and the only dropped points have come in a 1-1 draw at Bologna.

Trends show Inter Milan are on a run of nine matches without defeat in Serie A and have won each of their last four league games at the San Siro.  They have kept a clean sheet in their last three home Serie A games and have won six of their last nine matches by 2 goals or more, which is a good record.

AC Milan spent more money than their local rivals in the transfer market over the summer but as it stands, they are 7 points behind and come into this match seventh in Serie A. While a win would see them close the gap to 4 points, it is unlikely they will move up the table this weekend.

A defeat would be disastrous for Vincenzo Montella and could see the club drop down as low as tenth, which was unthought of at the start of the season.

Trends show AC Milan have lost three of their last five Serie A games, with defeats coming in each of their last two matches.  AC Milan have lost 2-0 at Sampdoria and 2-0 at home to Roma.  The third defeat was a bad 4-1 reverse at Lazio.

In-between the defeats at Lazio and Sampdoria, AC Milan defeated Udinese and SPAL at home, which along with the early victories over Crotone and Cagliari combine to give AC Milan their 12 points.

Although not playing in a different stadium, AC Milan are classed as the away team for this match and trends show they have managed just one win in their last nine away league games.  Furthermore, Inter Milan are unbeaten in each of their last six home Serie A games against AC Milan.

Team news and Marcelo Brozovic will miss the game for Inter Milan having picked up an injury on international duty.  Joao Mario may come into the team and fill the space behind striker Mauro Icardi.

AC Milan are without the suspended Hakan Calhanoglu and injured duo of Luca Antonelli and Andrea Conti.  Suso may start in attack, with Giacomo Bonaventura coming into midfield.

Despite the addition of Leonardo Bonucci, AC Milan have struggled to keep a clean sheet this season, managing just one in their last six league games.  They have also failed to score in their last two matches whereas Inter Milan have scored at least once in each of their seven games, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

Mauro Icardi has 6 goals to his name this season but has failed to score in his last two games.  The Argentine will be keen to get back on the score sheet and what better match to do it than the Milan Derby?

A goal from Icardi could be the only thing which separates the teams in this huge game.