Former Inter striker Giampaolo Pazzini believes "the Scudetto issue is over" as he backs Cristian Chivu's side to win Serie A in 2025-26.

Despite defeat to rivals and second-place AC Milan last time out, Inter are still seven points clear at the summit ahead of their clash with Atalanta on Saturday.

However, Inter have lost three of their last six matches in all competitions (W2 D1 L3), as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 20 games (W15 D2 L3).

Furthermore, the Nerazzurri have failed to score in their two most recent games (against Como in the Coppa Italia and Milan in Serie A), as many times as in their previous 40 matches this season (excluding the Club World Cup).

Nevertheless, the Opta supercomputer agrees with Pazzini, giving Inter a 92.2% chance of lifting the Scudetto, while Milan's title probability comes in at 6.7%.

Pazzini spent one and a half seasons with Inter between 2010 and 2012 before three seasons with Milan.

Despite praising Massimiliano Allegri's tactical approach against Chivu, Pazzini backs Inter to triumph in the title race.

"Inter's last defeat before this was also in the derby against Milan, after which they won 14 and drew one," Pazzini told Aura Sport.

"There's no doubt that Chivu messed up that game; he admitted it himself in the press conference.

"But I also have to congratulate Milan. Allegri manages to prepare for matches perfectly. It's no coincidence that they won both derbies.

"I think the Scudetto issue is over, because to make up seven points on Inter, who aren't playing in the Champions League, something truly unexpected would have to happen."

Since Raffaele Palladino's arrival at Atalanta (November 11), only Inter (43), Milan (38) and Napoli (34) have collected more Serie A points than Atalanta (33 points in 17 matches, level with Como).

Despite losing 6-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League during the week, Atalanta will provide a stern test for Inter.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter – Piotr Zielinski

Zielinski has scored three Serie A goals against Atalanta and has only netted more against Juventus, Milan and Udinese (all four).

The 1994-born midfielder is the only Serie A player with three goals from outside the box across all competitions in 2026.

Atalanta – Gianluca Scamacca

All of Scamacca's last nine goals for Atalanta in all competitions have come in home games.

His last away goal came in December against Verona in Serie A, but he has failed to score in each of his seven most recent away matches since then.

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER WIN

Inter have won their last seven Serie A matches against Atalanta by an aggregate score of 19-5.

The only time Inter have achieved an eight-game winning streak against La Dea in the competition was between 1964 and 1967, under manager Helenio Herrera.

Inter are also unbeaten in their last 14 Serie A matches against Atalanta (W9 D5), with La Dea's last victory dating back to November 2018 (4-1 at Bergamo).

Atalanta have not won against Inter in Serie A at San Siro since March 2014 (2-1, with a Giacomo Bonaventura brace); since then, the Nerazzurri have secured eight victories in 11 home league games against Atalanta (D3).

However, Inter have lost five of their 28 Serie A matches this season (W22 D1 L5), as many as they did during the whole of last season's Serie A campaign across 38 matchdays (W24 D9 L5).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter – 59.8%

Draw – 21.2%

Atalanta – 19%