Inter Milan will have no choice but to stitch up their wounds when they take on Palermo at the San Siro in a clash which could define their destiny.
The Nerazzurri will be hoping to rebound from two successive defeats, knowing that anything less than the three points against Palermo could severely dent their title chances at the midway stage of the season.
Things went from bad to worse for Inter, as after being knocked out of the Coppa Italia against Napoli last week, they went on to lose their seventh game of the season against lowly Lecce on Sunday. Not only did this result put an abrupt end to their seven-game winning streak but more importantly it saw them fall out of the Champions League qualification zone.
There's no doubt that Inter are passing through a negative patch, but what better way to rectify this than to obtain the three points against Palermo, whom are one of only three sides yet to have enjoyed an away win all season.
Due to this, and the fact that eighth-placed Palermo have only scored twice when playing away from home, Inter are expected to return to winning ways, which would be essential for Claudio Ranieri's side.
Inter, who were beaten 4-3 by Palermo in the opening day of the season, are well aware of the fact that they can't afford to drop any more points this season as another negative result could prove fatal.
Ranieri counts with a wealth of talent in his squad, but despite his importance in recent years, playmaker Wesley Sneijder has become somewhat of a nuisance for the side. Since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, the Dutch international has played well below his potential, and this has been a major factor concerning Inter's recent downfall.
With other creative players Diego Forlan and Dejan Stankovic on the sidelines and Thiago Motta having surprisingly departed Inter for Paris Saint-Germain, Ranieri might have no choice but to start Sneijder against the Sicilians.
Despite this, Inter count with quality in every sector of the field, and if the midfielders manage to supply the strikers with adequate service, both Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini will provide the goals.
Palermo may have experienced a mini-revival, with two wins on the trot, but their awful away record will surely serve the game on a silver platter for Ranieri's hungry men.
Things went from bad to worse for Inter, as after being knocked out of the Coppa Italia against Napoli last week, they went on to lose their seventh game of the season against lowly Lecce on Sunday. Not only did this result put an abrupt end to their seven-game winning streak but more importantly it saw them fall out of the Champions League qualification zone.
There's no doubt that Inter are passing through a negative patch, but what better way to rectify this than to obtain the three points against Palermo, whom are one of only three sides yet to have enjoyed an away win all season.
Due to this, and the fact that eighth-placed Palermo have only scored twice when playing away from home, Inter are expected to return to winning ways, which would be essential for Claudio Ranieri's side.
Inter, who were beaten 4-3 by Palermo in the opening day of the season, are well aware of the fact that they can't afford to drop any more points this season as another negative result could prove fatal.
Ranieri counts with a wealth of talent in his squad, but despite his importance in recent years, playmaker Wesley Sneijder has become somewhat of a nuisance for the side. Since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, the Dutch international has played well below his potential, and this has been a major factor concerning Inter's recent downfall.
With other creative players Diego Forlan and Dejan Stankovic on the sidelines and Thiago Motta having surprisingly departed Inter for Paris Saint-Germain, Ranieri might have no choice but to start Sneijder against the Sicilians.
Despite this, Inter count with quality in every sector of the field, and if the midfielders manage to supply the strikers with adequate service, both Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini will provide the goals.
Palermo may have experienced a mini-revival, with two wins on the trot, but their awful away record will surely serve the game on a silver platter for Ranieri's hungry men.
