The derby that takes place this weekend is without doubt the biggest match of the season so far. Following our great run of results and our impressive performances, we are now within touching distance of Inter. We trail by only six points with a game in hand and if we can beat Inter this Sunday, then the title race will be well and truly open for contest between the two Milanese giants.

We head into this match in arguably our most form period of the season. In this new year, Leo’s boys have been in mesmerizing form having collected three convincing and consecutive wins in Serie A including the 5-2 demolition of Genoa, the 3-0 win over Juve in Turin and of course last week’s thrashing of Siena inspired by the great-again Ronaldinho. We could not ask for a better preparation for this weekend’s derby.

And it gets even better. For Inter have not been very convincing of late. They escaped defeat against Siena in the dying minutes of the game in which they came back to win and last week against Bari, they had to fight from two nil down to come back and earn a draw.

Not only have they not been too convincing but coach Mourinho has some real problems especially in midfield where Motta, Stankovic, Muntari and Cambiasso are all injured, though it is predicted that Mourinho will risk one the latter two. Up front and Milito will be expected to lead the line alone again in the absence of Samuel Eto’o who is playing in the African’s nations cup.

Calciopoli is the ONLY reason Inter dominate

But we are not without our own injury concerns as Pato is still out and Nesta still rated a 50/50 chance of playing. Lets hope Nesta pulls through. Interestingly, Seedorf appears set for a return though I doubt Leo will start him. Seedorf’s return to action will soon provide Leo with a tough question. Put Seedorf back into the same role as he was in before and take out a defensive midfielder? or to keep things as they are, using Seedorf as a backup to Pirlo or perhaps even on the right in Beckham’s role?

I favor the latter as I believe that our irresistible form this year has been very much due the fielding of a more balanced midfield with Pirlo as the attacking midfielder alongside two defensive midfielders. With Seedorf in midfield alongside Pirlo, we lack defensive cover. With this in mind, I actually think that Seedorf’s injury has been a blessing in disguise.

Pato’s injury also has been beneficial in some respects for with the arrival of Beckham, there was a space in the team that Becks could slot into nicely. And Beckham has shown that playing with a goal provider (like himself) instead of a goal-getter (like Pato) in that right sided attacking position is valuable and both Ronaldinho and Borriello have benefited from this. When Pato does eventually return, I think that Leo should make him gain his place back in the team.

Whether or not Nesta returns from injury in time will be a telling factor in the outcome of this match. If Nesta plays, than Inter without Eto’o will find it hard to score. But if Nesta does not play than it will be either Favalli or Kaladze that fills in. Neither two options provide much comfort. But we do have Bonera back from injury but since he has been out some time now, he surely lacks match practice to be brought in. I am tipping Leo to go with Kaladze.

The other factor that could be the difference in this game is of course Ronaldinho. In reflection of his performance last week against Siena, I declared that the great man is back. And of course he will never be quite the same, however, last week’s performance was not too far off his best. Given what is at stake in this derby but more importantly given that Ronnie is now enjoying his football again, I expect Ronnie to have much of a say in the outcome of this match. If Ronnie is on form, Maicon will not have a chance and we will win.

Though I am confident we can win, Inter are a team with a real knack of getting points when they do not deserve any. Given that they will be aware of the importance of this match regarding the title race and the slight psychological edge the last derby will have given them, this match will be close. I am going to make a prediction and go for an exciting 3-2 scoreline. Milan the victors of course.

Calciopoli: Who was really responsible?