CESENA v INTER MILAN
Football : Italy : Serie A
Sunday 18th December - Kickoff 2:00pm

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Cesena

Daniele Arrigoni's Cesena are having a tough time this season, currently occupying 18th place in the table. As the Xmas break approaches they will certainly want to get out of the drop zone but with Inter in town this week it looks a tall ask.

The season started badly for the Cavallucci Marini who lost their first 4 games of the season to Napoli (1-3), Catania (1-0), Lazio (1-2) and Milan (1-0). Things didn't get much better over their next 6 games, a run where Cesena didn't win a game and only collected 3 points.

11 games in and finally Arrigoni's men won a game. On the 20th November Cesena won away at Bologna (0-1) to finally kick start their season. Since that game, the side has started to pick up some form winning 2 of the next 3 games to take them off the bottom.

A big problem has been scoring goals with just 7 goals in 14 games at an average of a goal every other game. Mutu has scored 4 of their goals and is their key player. At the other end, 15 goals have been conceded at over 2 a game and with the recently resurgent Inter in town it could be a tough afternoon for Cesena.

Inter Milan

Ranieri's Inter jumped 9 places from 16th into 7th following their midweek win at Genoa. This weekend they visit struggling Cesena knowing a win will put them as high as 5th into the table. With league leaders Juventus some 10 points clear of Inter, the Nerazzurri really can't waste opportunities like this one to close the gap.

After a shaky start to the season, Inter has had a good month and a half qualifying as group winners in the Champions League and rediscovering their form domestically.

Since the 19th November, Inter has won 4 of their last 5 picking up 12 points from a possible 15. In that run they have obtained victories over Cagliari (2-1), Siena (0-1), Fiorentina (2-0) and Genoa (0-1). Their only defeat during this run was against Udinese (0-1) in a game where Inter missed a penalty and had a player sent off.

The defence hasn't conceded for 2 games and Cesar in the Inter goal has only been beaten twice in this 5 game run. Inter's players apart from Wesley Sneijder are back fit and the side is looking healthy for a change. Playing 3 times in a week will be tough but this side is on a very good run and their confidence should carry them through despite the fatigue issues.

Away from the San Siro, Inter has a 3-1-3 record with the 2 of their last 3 wins coming in their last 2 away games. Whilst the record overall is the league's 5th best, their current form on the road is even better and I think they can get another valuable 3 points this Sunday.

The Betting Verdict

Cesena just don't score enough goals for me to back them to avoid defeat this weekend. The home side has some decent form coming into this game but Inter dominate the matchups all over the park for me and should have too much in the end.

Inter has won 3 of their last 5 away games including their last 2 at Genoa and Siena two sides I'd rate higher than Cesena. Against Siena, Inter needed a last minute winner and against Genoa they also won by a 1-0 margin. Given that Cesena has just 3 home goals in their last 5 and being shut out in 3 of those 5 games I think the price on Inter is very good indeed.

The Milan side should have too much in the end for Cesena, they won here 2-1 last season and a 1 goal margin of victory looks the biggest chance this time around. I will play it safe and just take the away win in the fixed market. Away Win.

Good Luck

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Cesena 0-1 Inter

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Cesena 20% - Draw 25% - Inter 55%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Inter Milan to win at even money at PinnacleSports