A place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals will be at stake when holders Inter Milan play host to Atalanta BC on Tuesday.
Inter have lost only one of their last nine matches in all competitions, while Atalanta are unbeaten in six competitive games.
Match preview
Inter have already added one trophy to their collection this season, winning the Italian Super Cup earlier this month with a comfortable 3-0 victory over their rivals AC Milan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
They earned their place in the Super Cup by winning last year's Coppa Italia, and they are looking to win the cup competition in back-to-back seasons, something that they achieved in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns.
After suffering a surprise defeat to Empoli, Simone Inzaghi's side returned to winning ways last weekend, securing a narrow 2-1 away victory over Cremonese thanks to a Lautaro Martinez brace.
The win leaves Inter in second place, but with 13 points separating them from league leaders Napoli, they will recognise that the Coppa Italia and the Champions League represent their best hopes of winning more silverware this term.
Inter have already beaten Atalanta during the current campaign, recording a 3-2 league away league victory when the two sides met in November, and after progressing to the last four of the Coppa Italia in each of the last three seasons, they will be confident of securing their place in the semi-finals.
Atalanta rounded off 2022 with four defeats in five games, but they have rediscovered their best form since the winter break, embarking on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Impressively, Gian Piero Gasperini's side have racked up 22 goals in that six-game period, where they have recorded four victories and two draws.
La Dea also managed to keep their first clean sheet since October at the weekend, with goals from Joakim Maehle and Ademola Lookman guiding them to a 2-0 home win over Sampdoria.
Atalanta are currently well positioned in fourth place, but they will put their quest for Champions League qualification on hold to focus on the Coppa Italia, as they dream of winning the competition for a second time after previously lifting the trophy in 1963.
Although they were eliminated by Fiorentina at the quarter-final stage last season, Atalanta have reached the semi-finals in three of the last five seasons.
Team News
Marcelo Brozovic has returned to training following a calf problem, and although he is not expected to be risked against Atalanta, he could come into the matchday squad for Sunday's Milan derby.
Veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has been absent in recent games due to a leg injury, but he could be fit enough to take up a place on the bench.
After missing the win over Cremonese through suspension, Milan Skriniar and Nicolo Barella are expected to feature in the starting lineup.
As for the visitors, Jose Luis Palomino and Davide Zappacosta are to miss out due to leg and hamstring injuries respectively.
Berat Djimsiti replaced the injured Palomino in the backline against Sampdoria, and the Albania international is set to retain his place in the side, with Gasperini expected to name an unchanged lineup.
Lookman will operate in the final third for Atalanta, and he will be looking to continue his impressive run of form after scoring seven goals in Atalanta's last four matches in all competitions.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Lookman, Boga; Hojlund
We say: Inter Milan 3-2 Atalanta BC (after extra time)
Atalanta are in a free-scoring mood, and we expect them to continue their impressive form in front of goal against Inter.
However, after conceding at least two goals in each of their last three competitive away games, they may struggle to keep Inter at bay, and although we an entertaining game will finish level after 90 minutes, we believe that the hosts will edge out Atalanta in extra time.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
