The Milan derby is always a spectacle, but it's been a while since the derby has had this much true meaning.
A top of the table clash comes from the San Siro as first-place Inter clashes with third-place AC Milan on Saturday.
The teams are just four points apart as the Italian top flight sports a fierce battle for the Scudetto. Neither team is at full strength, but neither team can afford a slip.
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A win for AC Milan would pull them within one of the top spot, while Inter could build a significant lead with a victory.
How to watch Inter vs. AC Milan
- Date: Saturday, February 5
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- TV channel: CBS Sports Network
- Streaming: Paramount+
Saturday's Milan derby between Inter and AC Milan from the San Siro will be broadcast exclusively CBS Sports Network, and can be streamed on Paramount+ in the United States.
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Buongiorno da Milano! 🇮🇹
— Watch Inter vs. AC Milan on Paramount+ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 4, 2022
Just one day until the Milan derby. Join the crew live from the San Siro for the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday from 11 ET on @Paramountplus and @CBSSportsNet. pic.twitter.com/X9UhKChA0n
Inter vs. AC Milan projected lineups
January signing Robin Gosens is raring to get started for his new club, but will not be available for this match as he recovers from a thigh injury. Joaquin Correa, meanwhile, is out through the end of the month with hamstring troubles.
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Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Sanchez both traveled back from South America after international duty and could be sat on the bench to start the match.
Inter should have one new signing available, as former Genoa striker Felipe Caciedo should be ready to go.
Inter projected starting lineup (3-5-2): Handanovic — Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni — Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic — Caciedo, Dzeko.
AC Milan will be without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who limped off in the first half of the 0-0 draw with Juventus just before the international break. He has been diagnosed with an Achilles injury and is not available for this match, leaving Olivier Giroud to lead the line.
Milan is also struggling with injuries at the back, as Simon Kjaer remains out long-term with his ACL injury and Fikayo Tomori has missed the last four matches for various reasons, including a bout with COVID-19 and a knee problem.
Franck Kessie is back from AFCON 2022 and set to go, but Ante Rebic is expected to miss out with an ankle injury.
AC Milan projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan — Calabria, Kalulu, Romagnoli, Hernandez — Tonali, Bennacer — Saelemaekers, Kessie, Leao — Giroud.
Inter vs. AC Milan betting pick & prediction
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
AC Milan's form dipped before the break, with a shock loss to Spezia and a drab draw with Juventus.
The Rossoneri also have a number of key injuries at the back, and didn't strengthen in January. Combine that with the loss of Zlatan, and this is a squad that is walking wounded.
Inter, meanwhile, is in blistering form. The Serie A leaders are on a 14-match unbeaten run, which was an eight-match win streak before the 0-0 draw with Atalanta in mid-January. They have conceded just two league goals since late November, a stretch of 810 minutes.
Inter leads the league in xG differential, by a massive margin, at +30.66, including the league's best xG mark at 51.32, 10 more than anyone else. Combine that with the league's second-best defense, as Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skrinar are in scintillating form, and this team is a force.
Add all that up with a dominant run of form in this series, as Inter has lost just one of the last nine between these clubs in all competitions, and here is only one expected result here.
Pick: Inter 2-0 AC Milan
Prediction: Inter to win to zero (+285)
- Moneyline: Inter -120 / Draw +275 / AC Milan +330
- Spread (Asian Handicap): Inter -0.5 (-120) / AC Milan +0.5 (+105)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over -145 / Under -125
- Both teams to score: Yes -175 / No +130
