Serie A: Free-scoring Inter Face Tricky Fiorentina Test

Fiorentina vs Inter Milan

Inter Milan’s Serie A title defence is going much better than anticipated after their tough summer. The Nerazzurri have won three of their first four league matches and are scoring goals for fun under new coach Simone Inzaghi.

But the defending champions are set for their stiffest test to date as they face off against an in-form Fiorentina side at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The Viola have been victorious in each of their last three matches, and with the dangerous Dusan Vlahovic up front, they have the ability to defy the Serie A 2021 odds against the defending champions.

Talking Points

Fiorentina flying high

Fiorentina have bounced back well from their opening day defeat to Roma. The Viola have since gone on a three-game winning streak – they failed to win even back-to-back games for the entirety of last season – with a trio of 2-1 wins over Torino, Atalanta, and Genoa and currently sit fifth in the table.

Top striker Dusan Vlahovic, who stayed in Florence despite interest by top clubs after his brilliant 21-goal campaign last year, is off to a good start with three goals in four games.

Meanwhile, record signing Nico Gonzalez – who came over during their strong summer transfer window – and veteran winger Jose Callejon have also made decent starts alongside Vlahovic up front.

But despite their good run of early Serie A 2021 results, Viola coach Vincenzo Italiano still has work to do to improve his side, particularly in defence. They have yet to keep a clean sheet through four games and gave up too many good chances against Roma and Atalanta, who were unlucky to lose the match.

Italiano has not done much rotation to his side through the first four matches, but he might finally be forced to make some changes in midweek.

The 34-year-old Callejon, who has started all four games thus far, is the main candidate to get a rest. Young winger Riccardo Sottil got the start against Atalanta and could start again in midweek to provide more defensive support against a dangerous Inter side.

Inter can’t stop scoring

The Simone Inzaghi era at Inter is off to a sensational start. The Nerazzurri bounced back from their disappointing defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League by blasting six goals past a helpless Bologna over the weekend.

That’s now three wins in four league games for Inter under Inzaghi, with an impressive 15 goals scored.

Edin Dzeko is all set to spearhead Inter in sealing another win when they face Fiorentina in Serie A — Inter Milan star Edin Dzeko scores a goal during their Champions League group stage match against Real Madrid

Edin Dzeko, who was tasked to help replace Romelu Lukaku, has done a fine job thus far. After coming on early for the injured Joaquin Correa, the veteran Bosnian bagged a brace against Bologna and now has three goals and an assist.

Striker partner Lautaro Martinez has also begun brilliantly with three goals, while Nicolo Barella has a goal and three assists.

Inter’s new wing-backs in Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco have also integrated well into the side. Dimarco already has a goal and an assist while Dumfries got an assist in his first career start for the Nerazzurri.

With so many players playing well at the moment, Inzaghi will have a wealth of options to choose from against Fiorentina.

Stefano Sensi and Correa are likely to miss out due to injury. But Hakan Calhanoglu, who was completely rested in the weekend, is likely to return to the first XI, while Dzeko and Alexis Sanchez are capable of stepping in alongside Lautaro up front.

History

Inter have had the decided edge over Fiorentina over the years. The Nerazzurri have a 16-6 advantage in terms of Serie A wins over their last 29 matches, and they have also won each of their last four Coppa Italia ties.

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Serie A

Inter did the double over Fiorentina last season. They won an exciting 4-3 shootout at the San Siro in last season’s opener before winning 2-0 at the Artemio Franchi thanks to goals from Barella and Ivan Perisic.

Prior to those wins, Fiorentina had held Inter to three consecutive draws. The Viola’s last victory over the Nerazzurri came in 2017 in a 5-4 thriller at home.

Betting Tip

	Fiorentina vs Inter Milan	Over 3.00 @ 2.00
	September 22, 02:45 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have in-form Inter installed as 1.94 favourites to get the away win. Fiorentina are priced at 3.90, while a draw is at 3.35.

Despite their recent defensive struggles, the Viola are certainly still capable of causing the champions problems and pick up a positive result at home.

However, over 3.00 goals seems like a safer bet given the attacking firepower both teams possess – particularly Inter – coupled with Fiorentina’s flaws at the back.