A place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals will be at stake when holders Inter Milan play host to Atalanta BC on Tuesday.
Inter have lost only one of their last nine matches in all competitions, while Atalanta are unbeaten in six competitive games.
Match preview
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Inter have already added one trophy to their collection this season, winning the Italian Super Cup earlier this month with a comfortable 3-0 victory over their rivals AC Milan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
They earned their place in the Super Cup by winning last year's Coppa Italia, and they are looking to replicate their success from the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons when they won the cup in successive campaigns.
After suffering a surprise defeat to Empoli, Simone Inzaghi's side returned to winning ways last weekend, securing a narrow 2-1 away victory over Cremonese thanks to a Lautaro Martinez brace.
The win leaves Inter in second place, but with 13 points separating them from league leaders Napoli, they will recognise that the Coppa Italia and the Champions League are represent their best hopes of winning more silverware this term
Inter have already beaten Atalanta this season, claiming a 3-2 league away league victory when the two sides met in November, and after winning their last three Coppa Italia quarter-finals, they will be confident of securing their place in the last four.
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Atalanta rounded off 2022 with four defeats in five games, but they rediscovered their best form since the winter break, embarking on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Impressively, Gian Piero Gasperini's side have racked up 22 goals in that six-game period, where they have recorded four victories and two draws.
La Dea also managed to keep their first clean sheet since October at the weekend, with goals from Joakim Maehle and Ademola Lookman guiding them to a 2-0 home win over Sampdoria.
Atalanta are currently well positioned in fourth place, but they will put their quest for Champions League qualification on hold to focus on the Coppa Italia, as they dream of going all the way to win the competition for a second time after previously lifting the trophy in 1963.
Although they were eliminated by Fiorentina at the quarter-final stage last season, Atalanta have reached the semi-finals in three of the last five seasons.
Inter Milan Coppa Italia form:
Inter Milan form (all competitions):
Atalanta BC Coppa Italia form:
Atalanta BC form (all competitions):
Team News
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Marcelo Brozovic has returned to training following a calf injury, and although he is not expected to be risked against Atalanta, he could come into the matchday squad for Sunday's Milan derby.
Veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has been absent in recent games due to a leg injury, but he could be fit enough to take up a place on the bench.
After missing the win over Cremonese through suspension, Milan Skriniar and Nicolo Barella are expected to feature in the starting lineup.
As for the visitors, Jose Luis Palomino and Davide Zappacosta are to miss out due to leg and hamstring injuries respectively.
Berat Djimsiti replaced the injured Palomino in the backline against Sampdoria, and the Albania international is set to retain his place in the side, with Gasperini expected to name an unchanged lineup.
Lookman will operate in the final third for Atalanta, and he will be looking to continue his impressive run of form after scoring seven goals in Atalanta's last four matches in all competitions.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Lookman, Boga; Hojlund
Atalanta are in a free-scoring mood, and we expect them to continue their impressive form in front of goal against Inter.
However, after conceding at least two goals in their last three competitive away games, we think they may struggle to keep Inter at bay, and although we think an entertaining game will finish level after 90 minutes, we believe the hosts will edge out Atalanta in extra-time
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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