The two sides met on the opening day in 2023/24, with Inter running out comfortable 2-0 winners. A similar scoreline looks likely this weekend.
Best bets for Inter Milan vs Monza
- Inter to win and Both teams to score (No) at odds of 1.53 with Sports Interaction
- Under 2.5 goals at odds of 2.20 with Sports Interaction
- Over 1.5 goals (1st half) at odds of 2.30 with Sports Interaction
Odds are courtesy of Sports Interaction - correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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Our analysis: Form of both teams
- Score prediction: Inter Milan 2-0 Monza
- Goalscorers prediction: Inter: Martinez, Esposito
Inter’s defence of the Scudetto begins this weekend. The fixture list has handed the Nerazzurri the softest possible opener. They host a newly-promoted Monza side that scraped back into the Italian top flight via the play-off route.
Christian Chivu’s side went through their pre-season campaign unbeaten. This included a victory over Manchester City in a penalty shootout. They also drew with city rivals Milan and secured narrow wins over Juventus and Real Betis. New defender John Stones marked his debut with the winning goal in their finale with Betis.
Chivu has a couple of selection concerns ahead of Monza’s visit. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is suspended for the opening game, while there is a question mark over the fitness of talisman Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine returned late after the World Cup final, but his presence in the final third is vital.
Monza arrive at the San Siro under new management, with Ivan Jurić having replaced Paolo Bianco in the summer. They conceded nine goals across four friendlies, despite recording wins over Pro Vercelli and Galatasaray. However, a 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Avellino has steadied the ship.
Demba Thiam and Dany Mota are banned after picking up yellows in the Serie B play-off final. Meanwhile, their skipper Matteo Pessina is missing through injury, which is a big blow to their midfield.
Probable lineups for Inter Milan vs Monza
Inter Milan expected lineup: J. Martínez, Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni, Diouf, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Sucic, Dimarco, Lautaro, Pio Esposito
Monza expected lineup: Pizzignacco, Kouadio, Delli Carri, Carboni, Birindelli, Akinsanmiro, Mout, Mangas, Colpani, Cutrone, Varela
Nerazzurri to win with a clean sheet
Monza managed just 28 goals in 38 games during their 2024-25 relegation season at an average of 0.74 per match. They also shipped 69 at an average of 1.82 conceded per game.
Jurić has since lost Dany Mota to suspension and captain Pessina to injury. This has left a forward line of Varela, Cutrone and Colpani with just one competitive match together in attack.
Inter, meanwhile, kept clean sheets in five of their last ten Serie A openers, and both teams have scored in only three. At a probability of just 54.65%, a routine home win without conceding is the fairest price on the board.
- Inter Milan vs Monza Bet 1: Inter to win and Both teams to score (No) at odds of 1.53 with Sports Interaction
Inter may need time to hit top gear
Inter are rarely at their sharpest on Matchday 1. This opener comes with several key players still working their way back to full fitness. Lautaro only returned to the bench against Betis after Argentina's run to the World Cup final. Meanwhile, John Stones joined training late following England's campaign.
Marcus Thuram has just returned to the squad, while England international Djed Spence joined the club from Tottenham just days ago.
In reality, Christian Chivu needs the three points, not a statement. The precedent is positive, too: the only Under 2.5 in Inter's last five home openers came against this exact opponent, a 2-0 in August 2023.
- Inter Milan vs Monza Bet 2: Under 2.5 goals at odds of 2.20 with Sports Interaction
Value on Inter to lead the game in the opening 45
Six of Inter's last ten opening-day fixtures produced two or more first-half goals. Three of the last five cleared this line before the interval. The trend is even stronger at the San Siro. Inter have scored 11 first-half goals across their last six home openers, finding the net before half-time in each.
Monza arrive with Thiam suspended, Pizzignacco deputising and a back-three still being assembled. The opening half-hour is where they’ll be most exposed.
Backing two first-half goals at a probability of just 43.48% looks like the top value play from our trio of Inter Milan vs Monza predictions. The champions aim to settle this contest early and manage minutes carefully for key players.
- Inter Milan vs Monza Bet 3: Over 1.5 goals (1st half) at odds of 2.37 with Sports Interaction