Football fans across Europe breathe a sigh of relief as another international break comes to an end. But they have been rewarded with one of the biggest fixtures in world football on the first weekend back. Arguably the biggest derby across the globe returns for the 2017/18 season as Inter and AC Milan face off at the San Siro. While both sides play their home games at the iconic stadium, Inter play the role of hosts and they are third in Serie A while AC Milan, the ‘visitors’ are seventh with seven points separating the rivals.

STATS

• After a few lacklustre seasons from the Italian giants, Inter have started this one very strongly with six wins and one draw from their opening seven games. However, their recent performances could have been better with narrow wins over Benevento and Genoa proving potential banana skins. The 2-1 away win over Benevento in their last match was very nervy in the end after the hosts pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time.
• Despite spending hundreds of millions over the summer, AC Milan have still struggled to perform in the league this term. They have already lost three matches (winning the other four) against teams they should be competing with around the top of the league. While Roma and Lazio are both good sides, AC Milan should have put up more of a fight against them.
• Mauro Icardi has started this season in the same way that he finished the last and with six goals so far, he is Inter’s leading goal scorer. Only four players have scored more in Serie A.
• Suso has been AC Milan’s best performer so far this season and with two goals and two assists, he is showing how invaluable he is. Patrick Cutrone also has two goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

As two of the giants of Italian football, Inter and AC Milan have always been relatively even and the recent results would support this. In the last five matches, Inter slightly edge it as they have won two while their rivals have won one which leaves two draws. Both meetings last season ended as 2-2 draws, the only two matches in the last six between the sides where both teams have scored. Christian Zapata scored a 97th-minute equaliser in the fixture back in April.

Head to head matches: Inter Milan - AC Milan

15.04.2017	Seri	Inter Milan	AC Milan	2:2
20.11.2016	Seri	AC Milan	Inter Milan	2:2

INTER NEWS

A win for Inter would put them in a very good position as they could overtake Juventus, the team they are currently level on points with. However, they are without last week’s hero, Marcelo Brozovic, who picked up a calf injury in training. He isn’t expected to return to the side until mid to late November.

Latest matches: Inter Milan

01.10.2017	Seri	Benevento Calcio	Inter Milan	1:2	W
24.09.2017	Seri	Inter Milan	Genoa FC	1:0	W
19.09.2017	Seri	Bologna FC	Inter Milan	1:1	D
16.09.2017	Seri	FC Crotone	Inter Milan	0:2	W
10.09.2017	Seri	Inter Milan	Spal 2013	2:0	W

AC MILAN NEWS

Even though it is still very early days in terms of the whole campaign, AC Milan need to get at least a point against their arch-rivals. Hakan Calhanoglu is still suspended while Giacomo Bonaventura and Nikola Kalinic should return to the matchday squad after flu and a calf strain respectively.

Latest matches: AC Milan

01.10.2017	Seri	AC Milan	AS Roma	0:2	L
28.09.2017	UEFA	AC Milan	HNK Rijeka	3:2	W
24.09.2017	Seri	Sampdoria Genoa	AC Milan	2:0	L
20.09.2017	Seri	AC Milan	Spal 2013	2:0	W
17.09.2017	Seri	AC Milan	Udinese Calcio	2:1	W

SUMMARY

With big derbies like this, it is never clear cut as to who is favourites to win the match but it has to be Inter that are considered as the stronger side for this one. However, it won’t be plain sailing for them as their opponents have got some top players. A draw is a real possibility as neither team will want to give too much away but if anyone is favourite to pick up all three points, it’s Inter.