Milan derby team news and prediction: Inter vs AC Milan

We haven't had to wait long for the first Derby della Madonnina of the 2020/21 season in Serie A as Inter host AC Milan in San Siro.

Were it not for the circumstances we find ourselves in, this would likely have been one of the most hotly anticipated meetings between the two fierce rivals in many years, with both looking to finally be on the right track.

Indeed, Inter came mightily close to Juventus seemingly customary top spot last season, while a new look AC Milan side, spearheaded by an old face, made huge strides in the second half of said campaign and have picked up where they left off.

When is kick off?

Saturday 17th October, 17:00 GMT

Where is the match?

San Siro, Milan

Where can I watch it?

Premier Sports 2

After three games of the Serie A season, Inter sit fourth having surrendered a lead at Lazio ahead of the international break, with seven points from nine available. AC Milan, meanwhile, are one of two sides with a maximum nine points - along with Atalanta - and are yet to concede a goal across admittedly favourable fixtures against Bologna, Crotone and Spezia.

While the two giants of European football of course share a stadium, home advantage has counted in this fixture regardless, especially as far as Inter are concerned. They are unbeaten in nine meetings when hosting their neighbours, who are looking for their first league win against their rivals since 2016.

Team News

Antonio Conte's squad has been decimated by a number of positive test results for Covid-19 during the international break. As many as six  players are now self isolating having contracted the virus, many of whom would have been in contention to feature.

While reserve keeper Ionut Radu would unlikely have played anyway, centre-backs Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni are both out, along with Ashley Young and midfield pair Radja Nainggolan and Roberto Gagliardini. In turn, full-backs Danilo D'Ambrosio and Aleksandar Kolarov are expected to play in a back three, with Ivan Perisic occupying the left wing-back role. Meanwhile Marcelo Brozovic should return to the side in midfield.

With Stefano Sensi suspended and both Matias Vecino and Alexis Sanchez injured for the hosts, the Nerazzurri will be down to the bare bones.

AC Milan will come into the fixture in greater shape by comparison, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's comeback a timely one ahead of the derby against his former club. The Swede had missed the last two league matches having previously tested positive for Covid-19 but has since returned a negative test.

Elsewhere Alessio Romagnoli is also back available but the likes of Matteo Gabbiam, Andrea Conti, Leo Duarte and Ante Rebic are all injured.

Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie compete for the two spots in midfield, while Belgian youngster Alexis Saelemaekers is expected to continue out wide.

Probable Lineups

Inter (3412) - Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Kolarov; Hakimi, Brozovic, Vidal, Perisic; Barella; Martinez, Lukaku

AC Milan (4231) - Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessie, Bennacer; Castillejo, Calhanoglu, Saelemaekers; Ibrahimovic

Key Battle - Romelu Lukaku vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic

All eyes will be on the two talismanic strikers for these two Italian titans as two of the games most powerful forwards go head-to-head. Lukaku has kicked off this campaign where he left off a superb debut season in Serie A, scoring three times in as many league appearances following a haul of 23 last time around.

Zlatan, meanwhile, notched a match-winning brace on the opening weekend against Bologna before being forced into self isolation, so it will be interesting to see what physical condition the former Inter striker returns in. While not quite as prolific as his opposite number last season, admittedly from far fewer games, Ibrahimovic comes out on top since the beginning of that 2019/20 campaign in terms of shots, key passes, dribbles and aerial duels won per 90 minutes, as well as aerial success.

It's Lukaku that has been considerably more prolific in that time, however, converting 23.9 per cent of his total shots in Serie A since the start of last season, compared to Ibra's more modest 16.4 per cent conversion rate. The question is, who will be more clinical come Saturday evening?

Prediction: Inter 2-2 AC Milan