Inter Milan vs Genoa

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza forms the backdrop for an exciting Serie A showdown between runaway leaders Inter Milan and mid-table Genoa.

After Juventus’ slip-up at Napoli (1-2), Inter Milan can put the Scudetto title race to bed with a win here, as it would extend their lead at the table’s summit to 15 points. Manager Simone Inzaghi will expect nothing less from his high-flying side after overseeing 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, including four straight in Serie A, which saw them score precisely four goals. Despite being the division’s most prolific attack with a whopping 67 goals from 26 games, ‘I Nerazzurri’ have never abandoned their defensive duties. They’ve won their last eight home league outings, seven of them without conceding, contributing to the league’s best defensive average of 0.42 goals per home league game. Despite drawing 1-1 in the reverse fixture, they’re in a prime position to maintain their superb defensive record, having held Genoa at bay in their eight previous top-flight H2Hs (W7, D1).

Not only had Genoa lost seven of their eight Serie A H2Hs before a hard-fought draw in December, but each of those defeats came by multiple-goal margins. Such a disappointing H2H narrative must have left Alberto Gilardino concerned ahead of this trip, but the Genoa manager can draw inspiration from a 2-0 home win against Udinese last time out. That victory solidified the visitors’ impressive 11-game form in Serie A (W4, D6, L1), suggesting they’ll not go down without a fight. Adding to this sentiment, the Griffins are unbeaten on their last five road trips (W2, D3) after a disastrous run of six defeats from seven away games between September and December (D1).