Inter vs Parma: Nerazzurri Eye Title Glory Despite Injury Blow
Leaders host mid-table Parma on Sunday with Lautaro sidelined and a Scudetto in sight
Inter Milan have one eye firmly on the Scudetto as they welcome Parma to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this Sunday evening, but Simone Inzaghi will be sweating over a crowded treatment room ahead of a game they simply cannot afford to slip up in.
The Nerazzurri sit first in Serie A on 79 points after 34 games, boasting a goal difference of +49 and a form run reading DWWWD. They have been the class of the division this season, and a home fixture against a Parma side sitting 12th on 42 points should represent a golden opportunity to bank three more crucial points.
Parma arrive in Milan having shown some resilience recently. Their WWDDL run is actually fairly encouraging for a side that has spent much of the campaign looking over their shoulder, and with 10 wins to their name, they are no pushovers. Still, their goal difference of -15 tells a more honest story about the gap in quality between these two sides.
For fantasy managers, Federico Dimarco is the standout name heading into this one. The left-back carries a staggering SAM rating of 9.4 and is averaging 8.7 points per game, with 6 goals and 13 assists to his name this season. He is arguably the best-performing defender in the country right now. Hakan Calhanoglu also matches that 8.7 average and has chipped in with 8 goals and 2 assists from midfield, while Nicolo Barella remains a rock-solid pick at 9.2 SAM.
The bad news for Inter is the injury list. Lautaro Martinez, their 14-goal striker with a 9.1 SAM rating, is out through injury, and he will be a significant miss. Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Bisseck are both sidelined with thigh and leg injuries respectively, leaving the defence looking patchy. Carlos Augusto also misses out due to yellow card accumulation.
Parma have their own concerns. Top-rated midfielder Adrian Bernabe Garcia carries a 9.3 SAM, making him their most dangerous creative threat, but striker Mateo Pellegrino is suspended due to yellow cards, limiting their attacking options alongside an already injured Matija Frigan.
With Inter's firepower and home advantage, even a depleted squad should be enough here.
Prediction: Inter 2-0 Parma