Competition: Italian Serie A 2016-17
Date: Sunday, 12th March, 14:00 GMT
Stadium: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Sports Livestream ⚽ JOIN NOW for FREE
Instant access to the BT Sport, Sky Sports and Eurosport
Inter vs Atalanta Preview and Prediction
The Lombardy Derby is also a head-to-head for Europe with amazing Atalanta ahead of Inter in fifth place.
The hosts are surprisingly trailing their less glamorous neighbours in the Serie A standings and already lost 2-1 in Bergamo back in October. That also means that anything less than a victory here would see Inter have a worse head-to-head record with Atalanta if they should finish level at the end of the season.
Given that this fixture is closest to the 109th birthday of the famous black and blue stripes of Inter, the home side will want to celebrate their birthday with nothing less than three points.
The recent form of these two teams would suggest that we are in for a thrilling game at San Siro on Sunday. The Nerazzurri come into this off the back of a comprehensive 5-1 victory in Cagliari, which was preceded by a disappointing 1-3 home loss to Roma.
The defeat to Luciano Spalletti’s side was a massive missed opportunity for Inter and their bid to close the gap from the Champions League places, but if anything that result meant even more in the context of the European race.
Gian Piero Gasperini brings his young side into this vital game on an unbeaten run of seven games, with their last loss coming away to fourth-placed Lazio. More recently, La Dea have picked up important points against Fiorentina and Torino but their biggest result would have been beating Napoli 2-0 at the San Paolo, which was a serious mark of intent for where this club want to be this season.
If recent results suggest anything, it’s that Atalanta could easily reach the Champions League places, or at the very least the Europa League spots.
The only concern for Inter will be that Chilean Gary Medal has suffered a knock recently and is a doubt for the game, but it looks likely that he will continue in his defensive role.
This will also mark the first time Inter’s Roberto Gagliardini will come up against his former club after leaving Atalanta for Stefano Pioli’s team in the January transfer window.
As for the visitors, they will be without the suspended Andrea Masiello and injured Aleksandar Pesic. It’s a special game for Andrea Petagna, who grew up in the Milan youth academy and sees this as an even bigger personal derby.
Keep an eye out on: Franck Kessie (Atalanta) – The Ivorian midfielder has been in inspired form and will look to add to his already hefty price-tag as he returns from suspension. A good performance in a hostile San Siro will have his suitors very interested.
Form Guide: Inter (W L W W L) Atalanta (D W W W W)
Last season: Inter 1-0 Atalanta
Stat fact: Atalanta have a fairly good record at San Siro, only losing two of their last five away to Inter.
Top Tip: Ivan Perisic to score in the second half
Inter (probable): Handanovic; Murillo, Medel, Miranda, D’Ambrosio; Gagliardini, Kondogbia; Candreva, Banega, Perisic; Icardi
Suspended: None
Atalanta (probable): Berisha; Toloi, Caldara, Zukanovic; Conti, Kessie, Freuler, Spinazzola; Kurtic; Gomez, Petagna
Suspended: Masiello
