Inter have won their last 8 games in a row – and have 10-1-0 from their last 11 in the league; they have pulled clear at the top of Serie A, 6 points ahead of 2nd-place Juventus.

Cagliari are in 13th place and while their home form has been reasonable this season, their away form has let them down (1-1-6); they haven’t beaten Inter in 18 attempts and with Inter in superb form, the home win is understandably low at around $1.20.

There shouldn’t be an upset here, but Mourinho will be aware that Cagliari have scored in all of their last 11 games and are capable of getting on the scoresheet here.

Inter have 7-1-0 at home, but 6 of those wins have been by one goal (three 1-0s and three 2-1s); Mourinho is happy enough to defend a slim lead and despite Inter’s slim odds to win, they are unlikely to thrash sides.

Cagliari, too have been resilient away from home, even if results haven’t gone their way with 4 of their last 5 away losses also being by one goal; with the fixed odds untouchable, the handicap draw (Inter -1 goal) could be considered at $3.60 from Paddy Power.

Yet, with Inter happy to keep the scoring down, it may be better to split the stake on the 1-0 and 2-1 correct scores, which give cumulative odds of around $4.00.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Correct Score - Inter 1-0 Odds: $7.50 Stake: 1.5pts Bookies: Totesport Bet: Correct Score - Inter 2-1 Odds: $9.00 Stake: 1.5pts Bookies: Stan James

Match Betting Previews 10-11 January 2009 >>> Premiership: Arsenal v Bolton - Aston Villa v WBA - Everton v Hull - Fulhan v Blackburn - Middlesbrough v Sunderland - Newcastle v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man City - Stoke v Liverpool - Man United v Chelsea - Wigan v Spurs La Liga: Deportivo v Sevilla - Valencia v Villarreal - Osasuna v Barcelona Serie A: Inter v Cagliari - Juventus v Siena - Roma v Milan Ligue 1: Lyon v Lorient - Bordeaux v PSG