Inter and Juventus meet again, for the third time in a month’s time as two great rivals are heading out for the Coppa Italia semi-finals return leg on Wednesday.

Third time the luck for Inter?

Nerazzurri failed to score a single goal in the last three games against Juventus, while they also lost the most recent two, which came in just a month’s time. First leg of the semi-final duel between great rivals was played at the end of January in Turin, when Juventus managed a 3-0 victory over Mancini’s men. Inter suffered a heavy blow as they won only two of the six games that followed the loss and it is fair to say that Nerazzurri find themselves in poor form. Mancini will not be happy about the timing of the match, which comes just a couple of days after the second loss to the reigning Serie Al leaders. Juventus inflicted another defeat to Inter, through Bonucci and Morata at the beginning and the end of the second half, respectfully. Impotent Inter scored only two goals in their last three matches, conceding seven in the same period and Roberto Mancini will need to make some changes is he wants his team to recover from the most recent poor patch. Eder and Icardi will be expected to get on the scoresheet, as the January signing from Sampdoria is yet to make his mark for the new club.

Inter will have no injury problems for the match, but Mancini will have to do without Jeison Murillo, who is suspended for the affair.

Third on the bounce for Juventus?

Juventus have extended their unbeaten run now stretching out to 16 games, but remarkably enough the Old Lady have drawn only two. Massimiliano Allegri is doing a magnificent job with his much-changed squad this season, making Juventus title favourites once again. The Turin-based giants are on the right path towards repeating the last season’s double glory as they are carrying a huge 3-0 advantage over Inter from the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg. What is more, Allegri’s men have beaten Inter at the weekend, having built upon their impressive 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Leonardo Bonucci produced an impressive performance and a goal to round it up. On the other hand, Juventus’ main man this term Paulo Dybala has had a pretty quiet game and Allegri will be hoping the Argentinean will return to scoring ways in the midweek encounter against Inter. Alvaro Morata could be in line for a starting berth following his goal at the weekend, but the Spanish striker is once again a subject of intense speculation regarding his future at Juventus. Real Madrid are thought to be willing to bring him back in the summer and Allegri will do whatever he can from stop his talented striker from leaving.

Giorgio Chiellini has picked up a knock against Inter last time out and will be given a late fitness test. Marchisio was replaced by Hernanes, who could be in line for another game from the start. Kwadwo Asamoah and Martin Caceres remain the long-term injuries.

Verdict

Juventus have gained a big lead from the first game, but it is the Derby d’Italia and hosts will not hold back as another win would be a huge blow for their great rivals. Inter, on the other hand, are suffering and struggling and Mancini is aware that a visit to Turin is not the game things are likely to change at.

Top pick: Home win    2.62 (13/8) @BetVictor

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – No   1.83 (5/6) @Unibet

Alternative pick 2: Juventus to win to nil    3.9 (29/10) @Coral