Serie A champions Inter Milan begin their title defence with a home clash against newly-promoted Monza at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri have lifted the trophy three times in the past six seasons, but have not defended the title since 2010 and will be hoping a big win over Monza sets them on their way.
Monza were promoted via the play-offs after a season out of the top division, and their head coach, ex-Southampton boss Ivan Juric, insists his team are going to Milan to have some fun.
Inter Milan v Monza Tips Summary
Best Bet - Inter Milan to win both halves @ 6/4
Alternative Bet - Andy Diouf to score or assist @ 11/8
Bet Builder - Over 6 Inter Milan corners, Manuel Akanji 2+ tackles & Under 4 cards @ 11/2
Inter Milan v Monza Prediction
Best Bet: Inter Milan to win both halves @ 6/4
Former Southampton boss Juric has the honour of taking Monza back into Serie A - he replaced promotion-winning Paolo Bianco who has taken the reins at Pisa - but it's a brutal start.
First up for the Brianzoli is Monza's shortest trip of the season, a derby clash at the San Siro against the 21-time and defending champions Inter.
Juric has vowed his team will have fun against the champs but fears his team face a hiding with a second-choice keeper Semuel Pizzignacco, whose last senior game was 15 months ago, between the sticks and missing pretty much his first-choice midfield.
Inter, tweaked during the summer by Cristian Chivu who has added Premier League aces John Stones, Djed Spence and Curtis Jones, have had a sparkling pre-season to follow a sparkling 2025/26.
It is hard to see past the hosts who are priced accordingly. Maybe look at the Specials where Inter to win both halves is 6/4. Not a bad play at all.
Alternative Bet: Andy Diouf to score or assist @ 11/8
With Denzel Dumfries gone and Henrikh Mkhitaryan suspended there is a place for Andy Diouf in the Inter starting XI and, if his pre-season form is anything to go by, expect a meaningful contribution.
The young French midfielder enjoyed a fabulous summer for Chivu, scoring five goals across three different matches, the fifth in a 2-1 win over Juventus in Perth.
He scored four goals last term but only started seven times, coming off the bench on another 22 occasions.
Take Diouf to show his summer class with a goal or an assist against a Monza team who, if you believe Juric, are going to be wide open.
Inter Milan v Monza Bet Builder Tip
Over 6 Inter Milan corners
Manuel Akanji 2+ tackles
Under 4 cards
Pays 11/2
The Nerazzurri will be keen to get off to a fast start in this season-opening derby and back them to win over six corners as the first leg of the Bet Builder.
They averaged 6.3 corners per game in Serie A last season and this looks like it ought to be an open affair.
Monza will try to play when they can but will come up against a strong Inter defence marshalled by Manuel Akanji.
The Swiss centre-back averaged a shade over two tackles a game in 2025/26 and can match those numbers here.
This is a fixture which has never been a bloodbath, averaging under three cards a game over the previous six meetings. Expect that sequence to continue by backing under four cards.
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Key Match Stats
Inter Milan signed off last season on a 12-game unbeaten streak to clinch their 21st league title
Monza have kicked off this season with a 3-0 win over Avellino in the Coppa Italia
Andy Diouf and Francesco Esposito each scored five goals in pre-season for Inter, who were unbeaten in their six games
Inter won 241 corners in Serie A last season - 26 more than anyone else; they averaged 6.3 corners per game
Monza come into this game minus suspended keeper Demba Thiam, who kept a Serie B-high 19 clean sheets last season
These clubs have met six times in Serie A - all since 2023 - and those six games have produced 17 yellow cards
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
