Venezia vs Inter: Nerazzurri to extend winning streak

On Saturday’s final match of the 14th round of the Italian championship, Debutant Venezia and reigning Scudetto holders Inter will play. Will the Nerazzurri side confirm their status as favourites, or will the Venetian side surprise them?

Ahead of the start of the league season, it seemed that Paolo Zanetti’s side made it to Serie A almost by chance. And the modest side can expect nothing but consistent losses and relegation back to Serie B long before the end of the championship. But that’s not how it has worked out so far. The Venetians are very aware of their strengths and weaknesses. They play in a balanced way and produce a solid result. A six-point lead from the relegation zone after 13 rounds is a huge success for Venezia, given their very limited resources and the club’s modest status.

For the match against Inter, Venezia are coming up with a mini-series of two wins in a row. First, they drew 3-2 at home to Jose Mourinho’s Roma and then took on Bologna 1-0 on the road. Furthermore, Paolo Zanetti’s side has not lost in three games in a row. Before Roma and Bologna, the Venetians were 0-0 away to Genoa.

Last Sunday, the Nerazzurri picked up a 3-2 win over one of the current league leaders Napoli and therefore moved four points closer to first place and are officially back in the running for the Scudetto. And on Wednesday, Simone Inzaghi’s side sealed their spot in the group stage with a long-awaited trip to the Champions League play-offs. Also, at home to Giuseppe Meazza, Inter beat Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 thanks to a mid-second-half double by Edin Dzeko. A fantastic week for the Milan fans! Inter have to extend the aftertaste, albeit an intermediate, but absolutely landmark success in the meeting with Venice.

Venezia’s home win over Roma does not limit the team’s list of great achievements this season. Paolo Zanetti’s side failed to beat Torino 1-1 away, and Fiorentina finished the meeting in Venice without scoring a 0-1. There is no doubt that Inter will have a difficult away game. But a win for the Nerazzurri is beyond doubt. The emotional charge that Inter received in their encounters with Napoli and Shakhtar will be the key factor. The Black and Blue’s newfound confidence in their abilities will help the difference in class to materialize, whatever the outcome in Venice.

We predict that Inter will clinch a win.

• W2 and Total Under 4.5 for 1.80;
• W2 to nil for 2.50;
• Correct score 0-1 for 7.50.