Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi (middle) against three Lazio defenders. (Photo : Getty Images)
Fourth-running squad Inter Milan (19-10-7, 64 points) is set to host middling club Empoli FC (11-15-10, 43 points) at their home ground of Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in San Siro on Saturday, May 7th as the 2015-2016 Serie A season comes down to its last two matchdays.
Inter failed on their bid to land a UEFA Champions League berth for next season as the team dropped a 0-2 decision to eighth-placed squad SS Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome last Sunday, as reported by Goal.
German forward Miroslav Klose netted a quick opening goal at the eighth minute and Le Aquile was able to keep I Nerazzurri at bay with their defense for the most part of the game.
The hosts doubled their lead with a penalty kick from midfielder Antonio Candreva at the 84th minute following the second yellow card booking and send off of Colombian defender Jeison Murillo, which took the fight out of Roberto Mancini's side.
It was the third loss of La Beneamata in their last six outings as they are now 10 points behind third-placed team AS Roma and the final 2016-2017 Champions League qualifying berth with only two games left in their campaign.
Meanwhile, Empoli had settled for a 0-0 draw with fellow lowly club Bologna FC at their home stadium of Stadio Carlo Castellani also last Sunday, as per SkySports.
It was the fourth winless effort of head coach Marco Giampaolo's team in their last six matches, which dropped them in the middle of the current league table, particularly at the 11th spot, with only two fixtures remaining in their term.
The team is eight points above the bottom three relegation zone, though, and is safe to stay in Italy's first division association football competitions moving forward.
Inter is expected to bounce back from their previous loss and make a firm grasp on the Europa League slot they are currently holding. With Inter out of contention, Juventus, Napoli, and Roma are now assured of their Champions League places for next season.
The predicted result is a 3-1 win for Inter Milan.
Inter Milan starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Nagatomo; Medel, Kondogbia; Brozovic, Jovetic, Perisic; Icardi
Empoli starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Pelagotti; Bittante, Cosic, Costa, Rui; Zielinski, Diousse, Croce; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone
