FC Internazionale - Empoli predictions and free betting tips [01/04/2024]

Today in the 30th round of the Italian Serie A, Inter will host Empoli on their home ground. Prior to the international break, Simone Inzaghi's team ended a run of 10 consecutive victories, drawing with Napoli, while the visiting side are fighting for survival and risk dropping into the relegation zone in case of defeat.

Inter

In this season, Inter has no competitors domestically, and the club is confidently moving towards the Scudetto. The Lombards are comfortably positioned at the top of the Serie A table, a good 11 points clear of their nearest competitors. It appears that nothing threatens the Nerazzurri, who have lost only one league match so far. However, two weeks ago, the hosts drew at home with Napoli (1:1), thus halting a run of 10 wins on the trot. It stands to reason that Inzaghi's charges were considered favourites in the current Champions League campaign, but they were knocked out in the last 16 by Atletico Madrid on penalties. It's hardly surprising that Simone Inzaghi's side is by far the best Serie A team at home: they've garnered 38 points from 15 encounters, scored 37 goals, and conceded only 8.

 Inter is still without the injured Cuadrado and Arnautovic, with De Vrij, the veteran centre-back, recently joining them on the treatment table. On the other hand, left full-back Carlos Augusto and midfielder Sensi have overcome their fitness issues. It's highly likely that we'll see Marcus Thuram (10 goals and 7 assists) in the starting line-up, with Lautaro Martinez (23 goals) partnering him in attack. A decision on Yann Sommer, who sustained an ankle ligament injury during the international break with the Switzerland national team, will be made just before the match – Emil Audero may step in to replace him. Federico Dimarco, the best Serie A defender in terms of attacking contributions (4 goals, 6 assists), will be calling the shots on the left defensive flank.

Empoli

This season, Empoli is battling to avoid relegation from the top flight, currently sitting in 17th place in the Serie A table, with as many points as the team below, Frosinone. The appointment of Davide Nicola as head coach in late January has sparked a revival, with the team immediately going six matches unbeaten (3 wins, 3 draws). However, in the last three games, the Blue have lost consecutively to Cagliari (0:1), Milan (1:0) and Bologna before the international break (0:1), with a belated goal from Giovanni Fabbiani sealing their fate on each occasion. That said, the Azzurri have put up a good performance away from home: they have gathered 15 points from 14 away fixtures (the 12th best record in the league), scoring 13 goals and conceding 23.

Empoli cannot count on Nigerian defender Ebuehi, whose season has already ended due to a severe injury. Also, the participation of defenders Ismaili and Grassi in the match is under question; the same goes for goalkeeper Berisha, while midfielder Maleh is suspended due to too many yellow cards. M'Baye Niang (3 goals and 1 assist in 6 matches), who joined the club in January, is sure to start this Monday, along with another winter recruit Zirkowski (4 goals in 8 matches). Repairing the leaky defence will be a task for Valukevich and Luperto, with Bereszynski and Pezzella taking the flanks.

Head-to-Head

In the first round, Inter won 1:0 away at Empoli. However, in the last season, the underdog sensationally won on Giuseppe Meazza Ground (0:1).

Match prediction for Inter - Empoli

Simone Inzaghi's team is motivated to resume their winning run in the championship and clinch their 25th Serie A victory of the season. Chances for the visitors to bag points this Monday are slim: the club's infirmary is overcrowded, and three straight defeats with zero goals scored do not bode well for Davide Nicola's men. My prediction is a triumph for the favourites with a handicap of -1.5.