Serie A preview for round 15
The meeting of Juventus and Internazionale in the ‘Derby d’Italia’ is the pick of this weekend’s matches in round 15 of the 2018/19 Serie A season.
Juventus are the runaway leaders at the top of the log after picking up a 13
th win from 14 matches by defeating Fiorentina last weekend, and this clash with Inter may well determine whether there is any hope that the Bianconeri can be caught.
Inter have taken impressive strides under manager Luciano Spalletti this season and look strong challengers for the ‘best of the rest’ title – especially with Senegal’s Keita Balde now beginning to fire in attack and compliment the excellence of Mauro Icardi.
The rest of Serie A will hope the Nerazzurri can pull off a shock win at the Allian Stadium in Turin on Friday night – if only to keep at the bay the strong impression that there will be no real race for the Scudetto this term.
Internazionale have managed just one win in their last 12 matches (across all competitions) against Juve, and haven’t won away in Turin since November 2012.
Elsewhere, Milan will look to continue their rise up the log when they host Torino at the San Siro in the final game of the weekend. Franck Kessie’s side moved into the top four with a 2-1 win over Parma last weekend and will fancy their chances of claiming another three points, though Il Toro will hope African defenders Nicolas N’Koulou and Ola Aina can keep the Rossoneri at bay.
Lazio, who have dropped out of the Champions League places after three successive draws, will hope to return to winning form when they host Sampdoria in Rome on Saturday night. Le Aquile have won their last four matches against Samp and scored 15 goals in the process – their fans will hope that net-rippling against the Blucerchiati continues unabated.
In terms of African stars to watch out for elsewhere in Serie A, Kalidou Koulibaly will hope to lead Napoli to a home win over Frosinone (which may boost their title hopes, depending on the Friday night result between Juve and Inter), Kevin-Prince Boateng and Khouma Babacar’s Sassuolo will be looking to shake off their poor form (one win in their last eight league matches) when they host Fiorentina, and Gervinho will lead the line for Parma when they host Joel Obi’s Chievo at Stadio Ennio Tardini.
Key match stats
Milan v Torino – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 32
Milans wins 16
Torino wins 1
Draws 15
Juventus v Internazionale – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 55
Juve wins 25
Inter wins 12
Draws 18
Lazio v Sampdoria – Head-to-head, all competitions
Matches played 41
Lazio wins 24
Sampdoria wins 9
Draws 8