At last, it’s time for the talking to stop and for the football to start: Juventus vs Inter is finally upon us!

For an extended preview of one of the most eagerly-anticipated Derby d’Italias in quite some time, I encourage you to check out the Serpents of Madonnina staff preview that was published on Friday afternoon by clicking here. There you will find Tim, Sanat, Matt and myself’s answers to six questions that were on our minds heading into the match, and hopefully that will increase your levels of energy and optimism before the big kick-off. (Although three of us did predict a home win at the end.)

In addition to everything we’ve said there, though, there’s one more thing that’s worth saying as we wait for kick-off.

One of the things we discussed in the round-table preview was why we should be optimistic heading into this game, but there’s one thing we didn’t mention which was being analysed on TV.

So far this season there have been 7 matches played between Serie A’s top five, and 5 of those 7 matches have ended in away wins: Inter’s victory against Roma, Juventus’s win against Napoli, Lazio’s win against Juventus and Napoli’s wins against Lazio and Roma. Napoli 0-0 Inter and Roma 2-1 Lazio have been the only exceptions to this rule in the first 15 games of the season.

Is this a coincidence or does it reveal something more profound about the way all the big teams are playing this season? Does it suggest, for instance, that it’s becoming easier and easier to let your opponents control the match and hurt them on the counterattack?

Personally I think it’s a bit of a coincidence, because those 5 matches have all been fairly different in the way they’ve panned out. Nevertheless, that’s not a bad omen for us this evening is it?

If Inter are courageous and concentrated enough then winning in Turin is not Mission Impossible. Let’s hope Saturday 9 December 2017 another night to remember.

AMALA!

Match Info

Date & Time: Saturday, December 9th, 2017; 8:45 PM CEST (2:45 PM on the U.S. East Coast)

Location: Allianz Stadium; Turin, Italy

TV/Streaming: In the U.S. the game will be shown on beIN Sports USA, with streaming available through beIN Sports Connect and fuboTV, while in the U.K. the match will be shown on BT Sport 3 HD, with streaming available through BT Sport Live. Click here to find out where you can watch the match everywhere else in the world.

Inter’s Matchday Squad

Goalkeepers: Handanovic, Padelli, Berni

Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Ranocchia, Santon, D’Ambrosio, Nagatomo, Skriniar, Miranda, Dalbert

Midfielders: Gagliardini, Joao Mario, Vecino, Borja Valero, Brozovic

Forwards: Candreva, Karamoh, Icardi, Perisic, Eder, Pinamonti

Match Thread Rules

There are only three rules: don’t be hateful, don’t disrespect anyone else’s opinion and enjoy the game!

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