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Genoa will invite reigning champions Inter Milan to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in their Serie A campaign opener on Saturday. The hosts secured an 11th-place finish last season after earning 49 points from 38 games.
The hosts had a good run in the pre-season, winning four of their five friendlies. They continued that winning form in their Coppa Italia first round over Reggiana last week. Junior Messias' second-half strike, thanks to an assist from substitute Ruslan Malinovskyi, helped them register a 1-0 home win.
The visitors won their two friendlies last month but endured a winless run in three games this month. They concluded their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea. Marcus Thuram scored in the first half thanks to Joaquin Correa's assist.
Genoa vs Inter Milan Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have squared off 137 times in all competitions. As expected, the visitors have the upper hand in these games with 71 wins. The hosts have got the better of Inter 33 times and 33 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors are on a 10-game unbeaten streak against the hosts. They registered a home win and were held to a draw in the away game last season.
- The visitors suffered just one loss in Serie A since September last season, with that loss coming in their away meeting against Sassuolo in May.
- Genoa concluded their 2023-24 league campaign on a three-game winning streak, scoring seven goals.
- Inter Milan have won their last five Serie A campaign opener. Interestingly, the defending Serie A champions have won their campaign openers in 12 of the last 13 seasons.
- The two teams have met thrice in Serie A campaign openers, recording two wins, including a 4-0 home win in the 2021-22 season.
Genoa vs Inter Milan Prediction
The Grifone began their 2024-25 season with a 1-0 home win in the Coppa Italia last week and will look to build on that form. They won their last three Serie A home games last season while keeping two clean sheets. They are winless in their last five home games in this fixture, failing to score in four, which is a cause for concern.
The Nerazzurri have a great record against the hosts and will look to get their campaign underway with a win. They have suffered just one loss in their last 32 league outings and are strong favorites. Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zielinski are nursing muscular injuries and are expected to be rested here by Simone Inzaghi.
Considering the visitors' dominance in this fixture, we back the defending champions to register a comfortable win and the odds of a clean sheet also look good.
Prediction: Genoa 0-2 Inter Milan
Genoa vs Inter Milan Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Inter Milan to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Marcus Thuram to score or assist any time - Yes
