Inter Milan will have Scudetto in their minds when they face newbies Como 1907 in Serie A match day 38 on Friday.
Their fight with Napoli for the title has stretched to the last game of 24/25 season with the Nerazzurri needing a win at the scenic Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
After 37 games, Inter are second with 78 points, while Napoli top the table with 79.
In the case both teams achieve equal number of points after the last game, a playoff match will decide the eventual winner. Something Inter will try to avoid seeing as their mammoth Champions League final against PSG slated to be played on 31st May.
Form Guide
With 6 wins in their last 7 games, manager Cesc Fabregas is leading Como towards a strong end to the season. In this period I Lariani have netted 13 goals while conceding just 3.
Como are in the 10th position, hence they have nothing to play for but pride and beating the Champions League finalists at home will be a special gift for their fans.
Inter Milan have been in and out of the title race after dropping several silly points this season and will see their ambitions tested by a spirited underdog.
Their last 5 games in Serie A also do not paint a pretty picture with 2 wins, 2 losses and the 2-2 draw against Lazio most recently.
But Simone Inzaghi’s side have had big Cup fixtures to focus on during this period, the UCL semi against Barca and the Coppa Italia final against rivals AC Milan.
H2H data favors Inter as they beat Como 2-0 in the reverse fixture in December with both goals coming in the second half.
Key players to watch
For Como, top scorer Assane Diao is out injured so the focus falls on striker Patrick Cutrone. The Italian striker has been a supersub for Fabregas, netting seven goals this season.
His knack for finding space in tight defenses makes him a potential threat, and betting on him to have over 1.5 shots could be a smart play.
Argentine midfield duo of Nico Paz and Maximo Perone are Como’s heartbeat.
Perrone, on loan from Manchester City, has the ability to dictate play while Nico Paz has been the creative spark for Como with 6 goals and 8 assists. Paz recording an assist offers betting value.
Inter Milan’s attacking firepower is led by captain Lautaro Martinez but it isn’t certain if he will start due to fitness issues.
Marcus Thuram is certain to start. The French striker leads Inter’s attack with 14 goals this season and his physicality and pace makes him a prime candidate to score anytime.
Whereas Hakan Calhanoglu’s set-piece mastery and playmaking (five goals and five assists) make him a strong bet for an assist.
Betting tips and predictions
Inter’s status as favorites to win at -165 moneyline on Sports Betting AG reflects their edge, but Como’s home advantage and recent form suggests they won’t roll over easily
Another best bet for this match is Both Teams to Score (BTTS) as Como have scored in their last 14 games, and Inter’s attack, led by Martinez and Thuram, is likely to find the net despite their recent away struggles.
Another solid option is Over 2.5 Goals as Inter’s matches often produce goals, and Como’s defensive lapses against big sides could lead to an open game.
For a more speculative punt, consider a Bet Builder combining Inter to win and BTTS, reflecting Inter’s dominance but acknowledging Como’s ability to nick a goal at home.
The Asian Handicap market offers value on Inter -1.5 as they could win by two or more goals if they click in attack.
Prediction: Como 1-2 Inter Milan. Inter’s quality and depth should see them edge out a victory, but Como’s attacking threat could make this a closer contest than the odds suggest.
