Juventus v Inter Milan – Preview, Predictions, And Best Bets

Juventus face Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday night at the Stadio Olimpico. The Old Lady after the holders of this competition are again looking to salvage their season from being trophyless. Inter won last season’s Serie A title and beat Juventus in the Italian Super Cup earlier this term. They still have a shot at retaining the league title (two points off the log leaders with two to play) and will hope to finish this campaign with at least two pieces of silverware by beating Juve once again.

Juventus Form

The Bianconeri have secured a top-four spot and UEFA Champions League football for next season with two matches to spare. Max Allegri’s side have lost three of their last nine in all competitions, including a 3-0 home loss to Villarreal which led to elimination in the last 16 of the Champions League.

In Serie A, a really strong unbeaten run saw 11 wins and five draws. That was ended by Inter Milan in early April with a 1-0 home defeat. They bounced back with three wins in their next four before a surprise 2-1 loss at Genoa over the weekend. Their relegation-threatened opponents outfought Juve with more at stake. They also beat Fiorentina 2-0 in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia in the matches since the Inter defeat.

Juventus Team News

It looks like a straight choice between Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata up front for this showpiece as Dusan Vlahovic leads the line with Moise Kean pushing to play down the left. Vlahovic has gone four without a goal and has a cut a frustrated figure of late, though. Reserve goalkeeper Mattia Perin has played in this cup run and is set to start the final.

Denis Zakaria in midfield and Matthijs de Ligt at the back should both return to the XI after being subs at Genoa. Manuel Locatelli may be fit enough for a bench role after injury but Weston McKennie misses out due to a long-term injury. Alex Sandro is set to return to start at left-back with Mattia De Sciglio suspended for this one.

Juventus Motivation

This match is huge for Juve to finish the campaign with some silverware. Should they manage that, in addition to a top-four finish, it would be an okay season and something to build on. A defeat would make this a poor year.

Allegri has played in a slightly more attacking way of late but could revert to type with a more defensively-sound setup. Don’t be shocked to see him go back to a narrow 4-4-2 with hard-working midfielders and just two forwards instead of three.

Inter Form

Inter have had quite a weird season. A great run of form put them as title favourites at one point but plenty of dropped points in February and March means they now trail AC Milan by two points with two matches to play. Having lost to their cross-city rivals in February, they were beaten at home by Liverpool and then Sassuolo at home in Serie A.

After successive 1-1 Serie A draws to Torino and Fiorentina, they clicked back into gear with five wins on the bounce including at Juventus, 3-0 against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final, and 3-1 against Roma. The latter win meant the title was in Inter’s hands if they could win their game in hand. Instead, they lost 2-1 at Bologna. They’ve beaten Udinese and Empoli in their last two but have to hope that Milan throws their lead away.

Inter Team News

The Nerazzurri have a settled team. Alessandro Bastoni is back in training after a calf problem and should start at left center-back in preference to Federico Dimarco. At right wingback, it’s a straight choice between Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian on the right.

Robin Goses will be an impact player on the left flank with Ivan Perisic starting. Edin Dzeko and in-form Lautaro Martinez lead the line with great options on the bench to turn the match.

Inter Motivation

Inter will be very keen to beat their rivals Juventus for a third straight match this season having beaten them in the Italian Super Cup and Serie A in Torino.

Simone Inzaghi’s side will play on the front foot and look to dominate possession. This match will hold full attention and they won’t have one eye on the league match against Cagliari on Sunday.

Key Stats

Juventus have lost their last 2 matches against Inter Milan

Juve have lost 3 of their last 9 in all competitions

Juve have won 5 of the last 7 Coppa Italia trophies

Juventus have seen Both Teams to Score Yes in 5 of their last 6 matches

Inter are chasing their first Coppa Italia since 2011

Inter have lost 1 of their last 14 matches (all comps)

Inter Milan have won 7 of their last 8 matches

Inter have seen Both Teams to Score Yes in their last 4 matches

Verdict

This should be a really good final. Both sides are looking to ensure a major trophy for the season under new coaches. Inter look the better team and in better form, whilst they’ve beaten the Old Lady twice this season already. Both sides should be on target with the firepower at their disposal.

Best Bet: Both teams to score at 1.74
Alternative Bet: Inter Milan win (90 minutes) at 2.05
Value Bet: Inter Milan win and over 2.5 goals at 3.65
Multiplier Leg: Inter Milan win/draw double chance + over 1.5 goals (90 mins) at 1.74

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis