The Nerazzurri left it late before securing a point against rivals Milan last time out, Ivan Perisic's strike deep into second-half stoppage time levelling the scores at 2-2. That result leaves them in ninth place in the standings, with eight points currently separating them from Milan in the third and final Champions League spot. A vast improvement in all areas will be necessary if Pioli is to drag Inter back into Europe's premier club competition: Inter have been overly reliant on captain Mauro Icardi for goals at one end of the pitch - the Argentine striker has been responsible for 10 of their 18 strikes in Serie A - and far too defensively porous at the other. They were the better team in last weekend's derby, though, which at least gives them something to build on heading into Monday night's game.
Fiorentina have also struggled to live up to expectations so far in 2016/17, amassing just 20 points from the 36 available so far - they have played a match fewer than most other teams - to sit eighth in the table. They were excellent throughout a 4-0 thrashing of lowly Empoli last weekend, however, as braces from Josip Ilicic and Federico Bernadeschi saw Paulo Sousa's men ease to victory at the Stadio Carlo Castellani and make it six games without defeat in Serie A. Results certainly seem to be moving in the right direction and suggest that a corner has been turned, although La Viola have often stuttered in front of goal this term; although they hit four past Empoli and five past Cagliari, they have found the back of the net just nine times in their 10 other league fixtures.
Inter will be unable to call upon the services of Gary Medel, but Rodrigo Palacio could be available for selection once more following a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring strain. Jeison Murillo will come in for Medel and partner Joao Miranda at centre-half, but Pioli may otherwise name an unchanged XI after his side's positive performance against Milan. Fiorentina will have to make do without Hernan Toledo, who is out with a thigh problem, but have no fresh injury concerns. Sousa will probably employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Borja Valero and Milan Badelj set to be key whenever the visitors to San Siro attempt to build possession.
Taking everything into account, it is probably worth backing Inter to get the better of Fiorentina on Monday. The Nerazzurri have a stronger set of players at their disposal, and while they have been guilty of failing to create a collective which amounts to more than the sum of its parts up to now, there were several promising signs last time out. A home win - with Icardi to score anytime – therefore looks to be the best bet here.
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