Inter vs Juventus: Max Allegri's Turin players are underestimated for no reason

The central match of the Italian Serie A round 9 will feature the reigning champion Inter Milan and Juventus. Bookmakers believe the home team is the favorite. That said, Juventus has a six-game winning streak. Are the analysts wrong? There are several options to consider.

Antonio Conte's champion Nerazzurri and Simone Inzaghi's Inter this season are very different teams and it's not because Edin Dzeko replaces Lukaku at the edge of the attack. The scheme of the game is almost identical, but the approach differs too noticeably. That Inter, though strict in defense, always tried to dominate and was ready to destroy the opponent at every opportunity. The current one is defensive, careful of taking risks. Almost like Lazio. Simone Inzaghi has yet to understand that he's no longer in Rome. On the other hand, should he? Maybe his coaching ideas are just not suitable for the big side and it's worth asking those who appointed him? After all, it did not work out with Gian Piero Gasperini at Inter.

In the previous round, the Nerazzurri lost away to Lazio 1-3. The score speaks for itself. Although this defeat was the first of the season, it doesn't change much. Inter wasn’t really convincing even in some games won, as in Florence or Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo. What else is there to say about the 2-2 draw against Sampdoria with the relegation zone looming over them?

Inter warmed up before Juventus On Tuesday when they beat Moldova's Sheriff 3-1 in a home Champions League match. Dzeko, Vidal and de Vrij were the scorers. After three rounds of the Champions League, the Blues have 4 points, sitting 2 behind Real Madrid and Sheriff.

Since Massimiliano Allegri's return, the Bianconeri have made great strides. Most importantly, the team has regained the component that made it virtually unbeatable a few years ago, both in Italy and throughout Europe. It is an ironclad defense. Juventus has not conceded 4 matches in a row in all tournaments and invariably won 1-0. Even creating a scoring chance against the Turin side has become incredibly difficult.

In the previous round, Jose Mourinho's Roma, who came to the Allianz, got a chance to score. And what a penalty kick it was. However, Jordan Veretout converted it. Wojciech Szczesny saved the ball and Juventus did not let the opposition near their goal. At the same time, Moise Kean netted the only goal that brought the Black and Whites victory, right in the opening stages of the game.

It is no big deal if they cannot get through the opponent’s defense at first. Juventus will wait for the perfect moment, keeping their balance and not making any sudden moves. The quality of their front men is such that sooner or later the ball will flutter into the back of the net. This was the case in the derby with Torino and this was also the case on Wednesday when the Bianconeri visited St. Petersburg to play Zenit. The Russian champion played an excellent match but still lost. On minute 86, Dejan Kulusevski headed the ball into the corner of Kritsyuk’s goal with the back of his head after a cross from the flank. That's all it took.

Juventus has lost to Inter only once since 2017. It was in the last championship season for the Nerazzurri when the excellent team of Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku defeated Andrea Purlo and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus at home, 2-0.

It is strange that bookmakers believe so much in Inter's victory. The Nerazzurri do not look like a team capable of fighting for the Scudetto so far. Juventus, on the other hand, have picked up steam. If Max Allegri's team won't win the upcoming game, they certainly won't lose. Besides, the personal stats speak in Juve's favor. Even last season the Bianconeri lost only once in four games, including the National Cup semi-finals, when they were at their worst.

Prediction: Juventus will not lose.

Betting options:

• Juventus Not To Lose for 1.72;
• Asian Handicap Juventus (+0.25) for 2.072;
• Inter Individual Total Under (1.5) for 1.84.