AC Milan look to Luiz Adriano for Inter advantage on derby day

The season’s first Derby della Madonnina is upon us, as Italian city rivals AC and Inter Milan prepare to share the San Siro stage to contest another deliciously poised derby.

After a flurry of summer activity, both Milan squads are currently in the midst of extensive re-building jobs, with this fixture the first true acid test for either team.

More important than just local pride at stake, this Milan derby duel will be an opening indication of which fallen giant has been first to clamber back onto its feet, with Roberto Mancini’s boys priced by Coral as 11/10 match favourites.

The Nerazzurri have certainly looked the more impressive with two wins on the trot, but the blue and black half of Milan have faced minnows in cannon-fodder Carpi and Atalanta. Still, Inter just edge enemies AC in recent scraps with two victories to one in the past six meetings.

Notably three of the last six scuffles have ended on even terms, including both battles last campaign, with 17 of 56 duels draws overall. So, backing both history and the present could prove prudent with odds of 11/5 for this game to end all square.

Traditionally a low scoring match-up, with the last encounter a stalemate, customers can also take Inter at 17/10 to keep a clean sheet.

Fans must bear in mind, however, that these two new-look teams have points to prove, with summer signings keen to make an impression on this most imposing of stages.