Chievo Verona v Internazionale Milano
Football: Italy, Serie A
Wednesday, 6th January 2010 - Kickoff 11:30am !

Chievo (12th) Home : 3-2-3 11:10

Chievo have done well enough this season, sitting in mid-table with a 7-3-7 overall record, but it's surprising to see that the "Flying Donkeys" have done no better at home than when travelling.

A couple of narrow home wins over Palermo (7th) and Fiorentina (10th) have boosted the points tally, and I get the feeling that if Chievo can stay out of the relegation zone then they'll be happy enough this season.

Chievo Team News :
Chievo’s only absentee is Fabio Moro.

Chievo :
Sorrentino
Sardo, Morero, Yepes, Mantovani
Luciano, Rigoni, Marcolini, Pinzi
Pellissier, Abbruscato

Inter Milan (1st) Away : 5-1-2 18:6

As always with Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese manager always seems to want to take the headlines away from the players and the club - and he's at it again.

His relationship with the Italian media is at an all time low and new rumours continue to pop up linking him with other jobs, so it seems more and more unlikely that he will remain with Inter beyond this season.

That means that Mourinho is totally focused on making this season a winning one for Inter, and I'll expect a totally professional performance from them in this lunchtime kickoff.

New signing Goran Pandev (who sulked his way out of a contract at Lazio in Dimitar Berbatov style) will probably see some game time as a substitute.

Inter Milan Team News :
Samuel Eto’o has been called away to Cameroon’s African Cup of Nations pre-tournament training camp, which resulted in Jose Mourinho saying "I hope they go out quickly."

Inter also miss the injured Walter Samuel, and have two players suspended - Thiago Motta and Dejan Stankovic.

Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso missed training yesterday due to a calf problem, but still should play.

Inter Milan :
Julio Cesar
Maicon, Cordoba, Lucio, Chivu
Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari, Sneijder
Milito, Balotelli

Head to Head

Inter Milan have a pretty good record against Chievo in recent seasons, winning here twice in a row before drawing 2-2 at the end of last season (with the title in the bag).

Inter have won all three corresponding reverse fixtures to make their record against Chievo 5-1-0 at all venues over the last three seasons.

The Betting Verdict

Although Inter Milan do have a good 8-point buffer over second placed AC Milan, I do not expect any slackness with this first game after the winter break - as Mourinho is a very careful manager.

With two weeks to prepare for this game, it would be a major surprise if Inter Milan did not take all three points - and the price for the away win is surprisingly fair.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Chievo 0-2 Inter Milan

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Chievo 12% - Draw 31% - Inter Milan 58%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take INTER MILAN to win