Third-placed Inter will go one-on-one against top-four chasing Atalanta at the San Siro on Saturday at 18:45 GMT.
With two matches remaining in Serie A, the Champions League finalists Inter are third on the table with 66 points, two behind second-placed Lazio. A win over Atalanta on Saturday will seal top-four qualification for the Nerazzurri.
Atalanta are three points behind fourth-placed AC Milan, and a win will bolster their chances of leapfrogging the Rossoneri at the death in the race for a top-four finish in Serie A and qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Key Highlights
Inter Can Focus on the Top Four Race Ahead of the Champions League Final Against Man City
Inter’s winning run in Serie A was interrupted last time out when they traveled to Naples to face the newly crowned domestic champions Napoli; this clash ended in a 3-1 scoreline in favor of the home side.
Inter have since lifted the Coppa Italia after defeating Fiorentina 1-2 in the final. This bodes very well for Simone Inzaghi’s men, who have the Champions League clash with Man City in the final to look forward to.
First though is the fight for a top-four finish as the Nerazzurri look to make the best out of this season, as they have picked up form at the right time in the business end.
Playing at the San Siro, Inzaghi will want his charges to be commanding, dominant, and confident in their performance. A win will seal top-four qualification and leave Inter to focus on preparing for Man City in the UCL final.
Atalanta are Still in With a Chance for Making it into the Top Four
Three points out and six points remaining to fight for in the season, Atalanta are still in with a shout for a top-four finish, depending on how Milan fare in the final two clashes. If both teams win their penultimate games, this could go down to the wire for the three teams fighting it out for two Champions League places in Serie A.
A win for Atalanta on Saturday will also cut Inter’s lead down to just two points heading into the final match of the season.
Bet hereAtalanta’s form has been patchy in recent matches. They have won three times and lost twice in the last five outings in Serie A. The two consecutive losses in this run, at home to Juventus (0-2) and away to Salernitana (1-0), have been costly for Atalanta in their bid to make it into the top-four.
They will look to win the six-pointer against Inter on Saturday and bolster their chances of making it into the Champions league next season.
Injury Report
Inter
Inzaghi will be without left-back Dalbert (cruciate ligament injury), center-back Milan Skriniar (lumbar vertabra fracture), and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (hamstring), in the clash against Atalanta.
Atalanta
Atalanta are without left winger Jeremie Boga (ankle distortion), center0-forward Duvan Zapata (leg injury), right-back Brandon Soppy (muscle injury), left winger Lukas Vorlicky (knee), and right-back Hans Hateboer (cruciate ligament rupture).
Possible Lineups
Inter
S. Handanovic; A. Bastoni, F. Acerbi, M. Darmian; F. Dimarco, H. Calhanoglu, M. Brozovic, N. Barella, D. Dumfries; L. Martinez, E, Dzeko
Atalanta
M. Sportiello; R. Toloi, S. Scalvini, B. Djimsiti; J. Maehle, T. Koopmeiners, M. de Roon, D. Zappacosta; M. Pasalic, L. Muriel; R. Hojlund
Prediction
Inter will look to be commanding and play on the front foot being the home team. Given that a top-four berth could be sealed with a win, Inzaghi will have his side play proactive football.
Atalanta know that defeat will likely end their bid for a top four. They will be aggressive and dynamic in their approach.
Inter will win the match and seal their top-four spot ahead of the final against Man City in the Champions League.
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