Prediction: Inter Milan vs Empoli

Verdict: Inter Milan win and both teams to score 

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to secure another top-four finish, Inter Milan will welcome relegation scrappers Empoli to the San Siro on Sunday night.

Inter Milan

Starting with the hosts, coming off the back of a 4-1 hammering away at Napoli last weekend, it has really been a sluggish end to the year for Inter Milan. With much speculation surrounding Head Coach Luciano Spalletti’s position at the San Siro, I Nerazzurri have won just one of their last five appearances and hold just a one-point buffer from being leapfrogged by AC Milan in the race to land the fourth and final Champions League spot. Picking up six points out of a possible 15 heading into their final fixture of the Serie A season, The Blue and Blacks have also shown some recent issues on home soil. Spalletti’s men have won just one of their last six matchups in Milan, a run that stems back to the 10th of March. While Inter are showing some cause for concern, they do hold a very eye-catching record against Sunday’s guests. I Nerazzurri have won their last six matches against Empoli, including a 1-0 win back in December.

Team News

Sime Vrsaljko is ​Inter’s only certain absentee, while Stefan de Vrij is a doubt. However, you can expect some changes to be made after Inter lost 4-1 to Napoli last week.

Empoli

As for the visitors, while Inter Milan might be showing some issues at the end of the season, Empoli have arguably saved their best performances for the final run in. Picking up a very impressive 4-1 win at home to European hopefuls Torino last weekend, arguably their best display of the year, former Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli has seen his side win their last three matches on the bounce. Holding just a one-point buffer over slipping into the drop zone and knowing how important Sunday’s trip to the San Siro is, fans around the Stadio Carlo Castellani will be looking for leading goalscorer Francesco Caputo to lead their charge. Finding the net against Torino last time out, the 27-year-old has bagged 16 goals across all competitions and no player outside of the top-four has a better attacking return. While Empoli might be enjoying a bright end to the year, Gli Azzurri have consistently struggled with their form on the road. Sunday’s visitors have managed to pick up just a single victory on their travels this season.

Team News

Empoli will likely field an unchanged side from the team that beat Torino 4-1 with Rade Krunic unlikely to return from injury this week.

Key Factors to Consider

• Inter have a strong record against the Azzurri, having won the last six meetings between the sides.
• Empoli’s last win over Inter Milan came back in 2006.
• Sunday’s visitors have however won just one of their last six matches at the San Siro, drawing three and losing two.
• Empoli have won their last three matches on the bounce, scoring seven goals on that winning run.
• However, the visitors have recorded just one win away from the Stadio Carlo Castellani all season.

Conclusion

While Empoli might be enjoying a purple patch at the end of the year, it is hard to overlook their woeful record away from the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Managing to pick up just a single away victory all season, coupled with Inter’s stellar record against Sunday’s visitors, we’re backing I Nerazzurri to come away with a hard-fought victory this weekend.

Verdict: Inter Milan win and both teams to score 

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Bet365