Buoyed by the away triumph over Cesena, Inter Milan need to try and close the gap behind their top 3 rivals with a win over high-flying Sampdoria.

That is, however, easier said than done given that the Blucerchiati are playing their best football in years and are still unbeaten this term.

Inter boss Walter Mazzarri is under pressure following yet another slow start to the season, with the Nerazzurri desperately lacking consistency in the opening exchanges.

It is perfectly clear this team have got plenty of potential and they are showing occasional glimpses of quality, but they cannot seem to put together several good results in a row.

A three-match winless run finally came to an end as Inter defeated Cesena on the road, although they again failed to impress, scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Cesena keeper Nicola Leali had been sent off on the half-hour mark.

Inter now face a very difficult task against red-hot Sampdoria, but they remain 1.83 (5/6) favourites to claim maximum points.

Calamitous Nemanja Vidic is likely to be recalled after he was rested at the weekend, while Ibrahima Mbaye could replace Joel Obi.

The likes of Jonathan, Pablo Osvaldo, Fredy Guarin, Yann M’Vila, Yuto Nagatomo and Danilo D’Ambrosio are all out injured.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic – Ranocchia, Vidic, Juan Jesus – Mbaye, Kovacic, Medel, Hernanes, Dodo – Palacio, Icardi.

Sampdoria are without a doubt the biggest surprise package of the new Serie A campaign, and they are one of just two unbeaten sides after eight rounds.

The team have done incredibly well under the guidance of Sinisa Mihajlovic, although it remains to be seen if they can keep the rich vein of form for much longer.

Sampdoria did have a favourable fixture list with Roma the only top 8 side they have faced up to this point, although they did well to hold the Giallorossi to a goalless draw.

The Inter Milan clash will be another serious test for the Bluecerchiati, who are available at 2.06 (35/33) to extend their unbeaten run.

Former Nerazzurri defender Matias Silvestre is doubtful with a calf problem, but Nenad Krsticic, Emiliano Viviano and Alessandro De Vitis are definitely out.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Romero – De Silvestri, Gastaldello, Romagnoli, Regini – Obiang, Palombo, Soriano – Eder, Okaka, Gabbiadini.