Inter face last-placed Venezia at 18:30 with Thuram's start in doubt before the Milan derby

Pre-match picture

Inter travel to the Penzo in Venice for a Serie A fixture kicking off at 18:30 on Wednesday, 28 October, against a Venezia side that sits last in the table. Italian previews frame it as a mismatch on paper that Inter must not take lightly, with three points as the only priority. Inter are level at the top with Lazio and four points clear of Roma and Milan, the chasing pair named in the live coverage. Milan play Bologna and Parma face Udinese on the same day, so those results will shape the picture around the derby.

Team selection questions

Cristian Chivu must balance certainties with experiments while the squad is hit by a run of injuries. Lautaro Martínez is absent, which makes Marcus Thuram the side's central figure, although Thuram has started the last five league matches and was granted a rest day on Monday, 26 October. Previews suggest he could begin on the bench, with Bonny and Pio Esposito forming an untried pairing up front from the start. Provedel is expected to keep goal after a strong display against Fiorentina.

Fixture load and the derby

Inter came back from behind to beat Fiorentina on Sunday, 25 October, a result the previews credit largely to Thuram. The side had also played a recent Champions League match with fewer players, and that run makes October a demanding month for the squad. Previews argue Inter must save energy to finish the period well before the international break. The Milan derby at San Siro is set for Saturday evening, 31 October.