Serie A Preview: Inter vs Como – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Monday night’s kick-off has become a familiar time slot for defending Serie A champions Inter, who entertain newcomers Como at Stadio San Siro. Old foes renew hostilities after more than two decades, with the hosts coming into proceedings as odds-on favorites.

Inter reigned supreme at the Stadio Olimpico last Monday, humbling fellow Scudetto hopefuls Lazio 6-0 to close the gap on leaders Atalanta to three points pre-round. Head coach Simone Inzaghi saw six different scorers dismantle Marco Baroni’s side en route to a third consecutive league victory.

Buoyed by a dominant performance in the capital, Inter eased past Udinese in midweek Coppa Italia action. Marko Arnautovic and Kristjan Asllani were on the scoresheet in the first half as the Nerazzurri strolled to a 2-0 win, setting up a mouth-watering quarter-final tie against Lazio.

They’ll be keen to drop the curtain on home league action in 2024 in style against Como. Cesc Fabregas’ men bagged two unanswered goals in second-half stoppages to topple Roma 2-0 on home turf last weekend and arrest an underwhelming nine-game winless run in Serie A (D4, L5).

It was the ultimate confidence booster ahead of the club’s first top-flight visit to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza since 2003. More importantly, the first win since late September lifted the Lariani a point clear of the bottom three ahead of this weekend.

However, Como must punch above their weight again to stay on the upward trajectory. Given the strength of their opposition, that task is nothing short of Herculean.

Match Preview

Inter

Heavily fancied to defend the Scudetto despite languishing below the table’s summit for most of the season, Inter are seemingly back to their usual best following a stuttering start. Inzaghi’s charges have emerged victorious from 13 of their last 16 outings across all competitions (D2, L1).

The only reverse came in the UEFA Champions League as Bayer Leverkusen stunned Inter 1-0 in second-half injury time. The circumstances are not remotely alike here, with the Nerazzurri beating Como in all seven previous top-flight meetings with Como.

History beckons as Inter could post a 13th consecutive home win against the Lariani – a feat they’ve never achieved against a specific opposition. But the hosts would be naive to take this game lightly. Indeed, they’ve recently blown hot and cold at Meazza.

Only three of Inter’s last six home league matches have ended in victory (D2, L1).

Como

Last weekend’s late drama at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia saw Como extend their unbeaten run in Serie A to three matches (W1, D2). That could be a ray of hope for Fabregas’ side to upset the apple cart at Meazza, knowing seven of Inter’s 15 league goals conceded this term came beyond the 80th minute.

However, added-time heroics weren’t the most noteworthy takeaway from Como’s home triumph against Roma. The Lariani registered their first top-flight clean sheet this season, though that doesn’t change the fact only four teams have conceded more goals than Como’s 28.

Defensive frailties aren’t the only concern for Fabregas. His men have substantially struggled on the road, racking up just one win on nine Serie A travels this season (D3, L5), and are winless in their last five such games (D2, L3).

Frustratingly for Fabregas, Como’s last two away league matches have ended all square despite his team taking the lead on both occasions.

Team News

Inter will be without defensive stalwarts Benjamin Pavard and Francesco Acerbi. Moreover, Inzaghi can’t call upon the services of talismanic midfielder Nicolo Barella, who suffered a knock against Lazio, meaning Davide Frattesi will likely return to the starting XI.

As for Como, Maximo Perrone, Alberto Moreno, and Marco Sala remain unavailable for selection. Former Milan striker Patrick Cutrone could drop to the bench after his form spiraled in recent weeks, with Andrea Belotti leapfrogging him in the pecking order.

Inter vs Como Potential Starting Line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.

Como (4-2-3-1): Reina; Van der Brempt, Goldaniga, Kempf, Barba; Da Cunha, Roberto; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Belotti.

Inter vs Como Prediction

Inter aren’t messing around anymore. The current situation in the Serie A table doesn’t allow them to rest on their laurels. Despite Como’s brave performance against Roma, Inzaghi’s men are on another level.

A multi-goal margin win for the reigning Scudetto holders is a distinct possibility.

Prediction: Inter to Win

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