Serie A team news and prediction: Inter vs Juventus

In a weekend of derbies across Europe, the Derby d'italia is the last to don our screens. Inter welcome Juventus to San Siro tonight in a vital meeting in the race for the Serie A title. 

Ahead of kick off, we have all the need to know information to prep you ahead of this massive clash in Italy, including team news, when and where to watch the game and probable XIs. 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 17th January, 19:45 GMT 

Where is the match? 

San Siro, Milan 

Where can I watch it? 

Premier Sports 1 

2020/21 So Far 

Two games without a win has seen Inter lose ground in the race to secure the Scudetto. Defeat to Sampdoria and a 2-2 draw with Roma means they need to win in order to keep the pace with rivals AC Milan, who lead the way in Serie A. Five successive home league wins means they have every right to be confident of coming away from the Derby d'italia with all three points as they seek to end their 12-year wait for a title. 

Defending champions Juventus have struggled under the stewardship of Andrea Pirlo in 2020/21 and come into this must win meeting seven points off top spot. They need to to secure all three points to keep in the title race as, despite their domestic dominance in recent years, there is a sense that a changing of the guard is on the horizon. They may have lost just one of 16 league matches, but in turn, only rivals Torino (7) have drawn more games than the Old Lady (6). 

Team News 

Inter boss Antonio Conte has no key men absent for the welcome of Juventus, with Danilo D'Ambrosio, Matias Vecino and Andrea Pinamonti his only injury concerns. Conte, therefore, should name his strongest XI for the welcome of his former employers, which means a place on the bench for Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, with Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez Inter's first choice strike pairing. 

In the Juventus camp, first choice full-back pair Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro miss out after the duo recently tested positive for COVID-19. Defender Matthijs de Ligt needs to self isolate, too, while Paulo Dybala is sidelined due to injury. Alvaro Morata is expected to partner Cristiano Ronaldo on the frontline in Andrea Pirlo's favoured 4-4-2 system as a result. 

Probable XIs 

Inter (352) - Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal, Young; Lukaku, Martinez

Juventus (442) - Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Frabotta; Chiesa, McKennie, Bentancur, Ramsey; Ronaldo, Morata

Key Battle - Romelu Lukaku vs Cristiano Ronaldo

One of the main contenders in the race to land the Capocannoniere, Romelu Lukaku has netted 12 times from his 13 league starts in Serie A this season, scoring in all but three of those. The Belgian hitman has netted in every home league match in 2020/21, with eight of his 12 goals scored in Milan. Lukaku has never scored against Juventus, nor has he been on the winning side against the Old Lady in his career, and if Inter are to keep the pressure on AC Milan at the top of the table, now would be a good time to bag his first goal against Juventus.

Leading the charge for the Serie A Golden Boot is another former Manchester United forward. Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 15 times this season and while Juventus seem to be faltering, the Portuguese star continues to excel in front of goal. With a WhoScored rating of 7.96, Ronaldo is the best rated player in Italy's top tier this term and there will be plenty riding on the 35-year-old to extend his lead at the top of the scoring charts and fire Juventus to a key three points tonight.

Prediction: Inter 1-1 Juventus