Inter will have an opportunity to regain control at the top of the Serie A standings when they take on Sassuolo at Giuseppe Meazza. The reigning Italian champions have received an unexpected gift following Milan’s 2-2 draw at Salernitana on Saturday evening.
Coming into this matchday, Inter suffered a 2-0 first-leg defeat to Liverpool in their first Champions League last-16 tie since 2011/12. In Serie A, the Nerazzurri are winless in their last two matches in a row (D1, L1), including a 1-1 draw at Napoli last weekend.
However, a victory over underperforming Sassuolo would catapult Inter back to the top of the standings, as they sit only two points below pacesetters Milan. Yet, the Neroverdi, who are enjoying mid-table comforts, could throw a spanner in the works despite alternating draws and defeats across their last four Serie A outings.
Inter Form Guard
Inter followed up a 2-1 derby loss to Milan with another uninspiring draw at Napoli last weekend. They now face the prospect of going three consecutive Serie A games without winning for the first time under Simone Inzaghi, last experiencing such a streak under Antonio Conte back in January 2020.
But Inter will turn to their impressive home league record for inspiration. Before losing the latest installment of the Derby della Madonnina, the Nerazzurri had won seven successive Serie A home matches, netting 2+ goals on each occasion. Indeed, no team has picked up more Serie A points on home turf than Inzaghi’s men (29- W9, D2, L1) this term.
Moreover, Inter have won more Serie A points from losing positions (17) than any other team in Italy’s top-flight this season. Therefore, even if they fall behind, the defending champions should have enough character to turn things around.
Sassuolo Form Guard
Winless in their last four Serie A matches (D2, L2), Sassuolo are seeking their first league success since a 5-1 thrashing of Empoli in early January. A lack of consistency that stretches back to 2021 has seen the Neroverdi fail to produce two identical outcomes in a two across their last eight Serie A fixtures (W1, D4, L3).
After drawing 2-2 at home to Roma last time out, Sassuolo won’t mind ending the abovementioned run here. Indeed, they are winless in their last six Serie A meetings with Inter (D2, L4), including a brace of 2-1 defeats in their most recent two league encounters.
Though all signs are pointing to another disappointing evening for Sassuolo, the visitors could at least give the home fans a raid for their money. Alessio Dionisi’s men have found the net in 11 of their 12 Serie A away matches this season, netting 2+ goals in seven of their last nine league travels.
Inter vs Sassuolo Prediction
The recent H2h record, coupled with Sassuolo’s free-scoring on the road, suggests that we could be in for a treat in Lombardy. Indeed, all of the last five Serie A clashes between the two sides have produced over 2.5 total goals, with four seeing both teams on the scoresheet.
Topically, four of their last five top-flight H2Hs at Meazza have seen 3+ goals and both sides teams scoring. So we anticipate an exciting, high-scoring contest.