The Coppa Italia round of 16 brings an intriguing clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, where Inter host Venezia. The Nerazzurri return to cup action after a mixed run in the league and Europe, eager to reassert their dominance in front of their fans. For Venezia, this fixture represents both a challenge and an opportunity to test their progress against one of Italy’s elite sides. The match will be played as a single-leg tie, with penalties deciding the winner if the score remains level after 90 minutes.

Inter’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Inter come into this encounter on the back of a 2-0 league victory over Pisa, a result that ended a brief two-game losing streak. That win, powered by a brace from Lautaro Martínez, lifted morale and brought the team within touching distance of the Serie A summit. Despite a few defensive lapses in recent weeks, Simone Inzaghi’s men remain one of the most consistent sides in Italy, boasting a strong record both domestically and in Europe.

In the Coppa Italia, Inter enter directly at the round of 16 stage thanks to their second-place finish in last season’s Serie A. The Nerazzurri have been remarkably solid in this competition, with Under 3.5 goals recorded in each of their last ten cup matches. They have also been prolific in attack, with Over 1.5 goals scored in 25 of their last 27 games across all competitions. At home, Inter tend to start strong, having led at half time in 9 of their last 15 matches at the Meazza.

Coach Inzaghi is expected to rotate his squad, giving opportunities to several fringe players. The projected lineup includes Martínez in goal, a back three of Bisseck, de Vrij, and Bastoni, while the midfield could feature Luis Henrique, Diouf, Sucic, Frattesi, and Carlos Augusto. Up front, Esposito and Bonny are likely to lead the attack. Despite the rotation, Inter’s depth and home advantage make them heavy favorites to progress.

Venezia’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Venezia arrive in Milan in excellent form, riding a wave of confidence after three consecutive victories, including a commanding 3-0 win over Mantova. Under coach Giovanni Stroppa, the Lagunari have developed into one of Serie B’s most entertaining sides, sitting fifth in the table with seven wins, four draws, and three defeats from 14 matches. Their attacking play has been particularly impressive, averaging 2.4 goals per game in their last five outings while conceding just 0.6.

In the Coppa Italia, Venezia have already eliminated Mantova and Verona, proving their ability to compete against higher-tier opposition. Their season stats in the competition show one win and one draw, with an average of two goals scored per match and none conceded. Stroppa’s men have also shown resilience, having not trailed at half time in their last 16 games. However, facing Inter at San Siro will be a major step up in quality.

The probable lineup for Venezia features Stankovic in goal, a defensive trio of Schingtienne, Svoboda, and Sverko. In midfield, Busio will anchor the play alongside Hainaut, Pérez, Doumbia, and Bjarkason, supporting the attacking duo of Yeboah and Fila. The team’s offensive strength lies in the form of Yeboah and Adorante, both with four goals this season, but their defense remains a concern against top-tier opposition.

Inter vs Venezia Prediction and Tactical Overview

This Coppa Italia tie promises an engaging contrast of styles. Inter will look to control possession and dictate tempo, while Venezia are expected to rely on quick transitions and the pace of their forwards. The Nerazzurri’s superior squad depth and home record make them clear favorites, but Venezia’s recent form suggests they could pose a threat if given space on the counterattack.

Historically, Inter have dominated this fixture, winning 23 of the previous meetings compared to Venezia’s seven, with six draws. The last time the Lagunari defeated Inter dates back to 1999, and they have not managed a single win at San Siro in their last five visits. The most recent head-to-head ended 1-0 in favor of Inter, reinforcing the hosts’ dominance in this matchup.

Given both teams’ recent trends, goals are likely to feature prominently. Inter have scored in nearly every game this season, while Venezia’s attacking momentum in Serie B has been impressive. However, the visitors’ defensive vulnerabilities could be exposed by Inter’s attacking rotations. Expect a lively contest with chances at both ends, but the Nerazzurri’s quality should ultimately prevail.

Probable Lineups Inter vs Venezia

INTER (3-5-2): Martínez; Bisseck, de Vrij, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Diouf, Sucic, Frattesi, Carlos Augusto; Esposito, Bonny. Coach: S. Inzaghi

VENEZIA (3-1-4-2): Stankovic; Schingtienne, Svoboda, Sverko; Busio; Hainaut, Pérez, Doumbia, Bjarkason; Yeboah, Fila. Coach: G. Stroppa

Inter vs Venezia prediction by BetMines:
The most likely outcome is Over 2.5 goals with a 57% probability.