Inter Milan welcome Lecce to San Siro for a Serie A clash on Saturday as they seek their first win of the season. Lecce were battered last time out and should be no match for the champions, who will be keen to make a statement in front of their fans.
Inter Milan began their title defence with a 2-2 draw at Genoa in their opening fixture of the season. They came from behind to lead through Marcus Thuram’s brace but went on to concede the winner deep into added time.
Conceding such a late equaliser will be disappointing to manager Simone Inzaghi, although Genoa have become a bogey team for Inter Milan in recent times. However, there are a few positives to take like their attacking display, particularly Thuram’s brace.
Lecce travel to San Siro off the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Atalanta in their opening Serie A fixture. Luca Gotti’s men were wasteful in front of goal and were constantly being carved open at the other end of the pitch.
Having struggled for much of the campaign last season, Monday’s performance could be seen as a bad omen for the season ahead. The result means Lecce have now failed to score in their last four Serie A matches, a run stretching back to May.
How the bookies view it: Nerazzurri too strong
Inter Milan have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/5 by Betfred to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Lecce is valued at 14/1 while Betfred is offering odds of 11/2 for a draw.
Head to head: Nerazzurri on top
Inter Milan have a 21-4 advantage with three draws from 28 previous matches against Lecce. The Nerazzurri did the double last season, winning 2-0 at San Siro easing to a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Thuram to strike again
Thuram looked sharp for Inter Milan in the opening fixture and deservedly helped himself to a brace. The forward will be keen to go on a scoring run and is priced at 21/20 by Betfred to find the net on Saturday.
Inter Milan have not conceded in the last three meetings with Lecce and will be targeting another shutout on Saturday. Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni will be the ones at the heart of the defence and can lead the Nerazzurri to a clean sheet at 8/13 by Betfred.
Probable line-ups
Inter Milan are unlikely to make too many changes to their team and should stick with the side that started the opening fixture. Thuram and Lautaro Martinez are set to continue in attack while Bastoni and Acerbi should maintain their centre-back partnership.
Lassana Coulibaly and Lameck Banda were halftime substitutes for Lecce last time out and could be handed a start on Saturday. Nikola Krstovic should continue to lead the line while Kialonda Gaspar is set to feature at the back.
Inter Milan: Sommer, Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Martinez, Thuram
Lecce: Falcone, Gendry, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo, Ramadani, Coulibaly, Banda, Rafia, Dorgu, Krstovic
Anything else catch the eye?
Inter Milan have won to nil in the last three matches against Lecce and could be set for a repeat at 4/5 with Betfred. Given their attacking quality, a -2 handicap could also be considered at 13/8 with Betfred.
The Nerazzurri are expected to be dominant on Saturday and could be backed to win both halves at 11/8 with Betfred.
This Serie A match between Inter Milan and Lecce will be played on Aug 24, 2024 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Inter Milan vs Lecce prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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