The Milan derby is usually the highlight of the Serie A season, but this year there is little to play for with each team out of the title race.
In fact, Inter Milan and AC Milan are both struggling in mid-table and even European qualification looks beyond two of Italy's most successful clubs.
Inter Milan
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For anyone who has not kept up with Italian football over the past season, then a quick look at the Serie A table would be a major shock, considering the position of the Milan clubs.
Inter Milan are currently 10th in the league and just a point below their city rivals after a frustrating campaign and unless they put together a drastically improved run of form over the next few weeks, then they will be without European football next season.
They will at least come into the Derby della Madonnina with a win under their belts, as last weekend they recorded a 3-0 victory away to Hellas Verona.
Rodrigo Palacio and Mauro Icardi both scored and laid on an assist for each other in that match, but it remains to be seen whether the former will stay at the club if they fail to secure a Europa League berth, with Chelsea rumoured to be among the many clubs interested.
With Roma, Lazio and Juventus all to play in the final eight games of the season, it will be hard for Inter to finish much higher up the table and there will surely be a summer of rebuilding for Roberto Mancini to oversee as the club tries to regain its place as one of Europe's most feared.
Recent form in Serie A: LDDLDW
Recent form (all competitions): LDLLDW
AC Milan
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It has also been a largely forgettable season for Milan, but there have been a few signs in recent weeks that the club are on the road to recovery.
They have lost just one of their previous seven games in the league and are unbeaten in their last three outings since a late collapse at Fiorentina.
Victories against Cagliari and Palermo helped to restore their confidence and they showed grit and determination to come from behind and hold Sampdoria to a 1-1 draw last weekend.
The Rossoneri still have a long way to go to match their past glories, but Filippo Inzaghi seems to have the players on his side, despite the uncertainty surrounding his own future at the club.
They do have a kind fixture list over the remaining weeks of the campaign and although a top-six finish looks unlikely, a winning run would certainly boost their confidence and give the manager some hope for mounting a real challenge next season.
Recent form: DDLWWD
Team News
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Inter will be forced into making a couple of changes, as Marcelo Brozovic and Fredy Guarin are both suspended.
Mateo Kovacic and Joel Obi will be fighting for the vacant spots in the midfield, while Davide Santon should return to the defecne.
Meanwhile, Mattia Destro is an injury doubt for Milan, after sustaining heavy bruising to his tibia during last weekend's game against Sampdoria.
The striker's absence means that Giacomo Bonaventura may be played in a more advanced role, although Suso staked his claims for a start with a positive appearance from the bench.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic, Santon, Ranocchia, Vidic, Juan Jesus, Hernanes, Medel, Kovacic, Shaqiri, Icardi, Palacio
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Lopez, Abate, Mexes, Paletta, Antonelli, Poli, De Jong, Van Ginkel, Cerci, Bonaventura, Menez
Head To Head
In this season's reverse fixture the two teams played out a 1-1 draw, as Jeremy Menez's strike was cancelled out in the second half by Obi.
This has tended to be a low-scoring encounter in recent seasons, with just seven goals in the past five meetings between the clubs.
Inter narrowly lead their rivals in the overall head to head records, as they have won 76 of the 213 official games played between them, with Milan winning 74.
We say: Inter Milan 1-1 AC Milan
Although there is little to play for, neither club will want to end the season with a loss to their biggest rival and a defeat could damage their frail confidence even further. It should be a tight and cagey affair and we think that this one will end in another draw.
No Data Analysis info
