Calcio Debate: Who Will Win The Scudetto – Inter, Juve Or Milan?

Serie A resumed at the weekend after a three-week interruption, but it seemed as if leaders Inter were still on their Christmas Holidays, as they struggled to a 1-1 home draw against Cagliari on Saturday night, a game in which the Sardinians had more than enough clear-cut chances to win comfortably.

This let in second placed Juventus who, despite offering a limp display of their own, ground out a 1-0 victory over Siena in Turin, courtesy of yet another majestic free kick from the ageless Alessandro Del Piero. The Golden Boy’s strike took the Bianconeri to within four points of the Nerazzurri.

The big game of the round took place in the Eternal City, as third-placed Milan had the chance to narrow the gap on Inter to seven points by beating Roma. However, the Rossoneri, who surprisingly unleashed debutant David Beckham from the start, could only manage a 2-2 draw, despite dominating possession for most of the game.

With one round to go before the half-way stage of the season, this is how the top-of-the-table reads:

Pts P W D L
Inter 43 18 13 4 1
Juventus 39 18 12 3 3
Milan 34 18 10 4 4

So who will emerge victorious come May? Here is a list of reasons why each of the Big Three will, or won't, win the Scudetto?

INTER

Why They Will Win

- Inter are four points clear of Juventus, and nine points ahead of Milan. The latter margin is quite significant, and it’s always favourable to be the frontrunner.

- Inter have won the Scudetto two years on the trot, and they know what it takes to win it again. The Nerazzurri have the experience.

- Inter have the strongest and largest squad in Serie A, and have an international replacement in virtually every position on the pitch.

- Jose Mourinho – a proven winner. If you had to put your money on either Mourinho or Claudio Ranieri, you would back 'The Special One' 99 times out of 100.

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic – if Ibracadabra stays fit, then Inter will always fancy their chances.

- Inter have already played Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio away. Most of the tough teams they will face at home in the second half of the campaign.

Why They Won’t Win

- Given the fact Mancini and Quaresma have both flopped, this is pretty much the same squad from the previous two seasons. Perhaps the enthusiasm and determination to win another Scudetto has disappeared a touch.

- The lack of an adequate partner for Ibrahimovic in attack. Adriano, Balotelli, Crespo, Cruz and Obinna have scored just four goals between them.

- Over-reliance on Ibrahimovic. Inter almost threw away the Scudetto last season when the Swede got injured.

- The Champions League – it is no secret that Inter’s priority this year is to end 44 years of European hurt.

- Pele said that Inter would win Serie A. Okay, it was the Portuguese ex-Inter midfielder who said this, but could the curse of Pele's Brazilian namesake rear its ugly head here too?

JUVENTUS

Why They Will Win

- There is still a real sense of injustice at the Calciopoli punishment, and the Old Guard in particular are incredibly fired up to win the Scudetto.

- Character. Juventus’s celebrated never-say-die attitude will always be worth 5-10 points a season at least.

- Injured players. Juventus have played half the season without half of their first team squad. Think of the team’s potential when these players return?

- Freshness. Late in the season, most teams suffer from tiredness. However, the likes of Buffon, Camoranesi, Trezeguet, Giovinco and, who knows, even Poulsen, will be very fresh, having barely played yet.

- Amauri & Alessandro Del Piero – Juventus’ lethal strike pairing have already scored 25 goals between them in all competitions, many of them decisive. And if either of these two are having an off-day, then there is always Trezeguet, Iaquinta or Giovinco who can fill-in.

Why They Won’t Win

- Juventus’ squad, in terms of quality, is not as strong as Inter’s, particularly in the defence and midfield areas.

- Champions League. Juve seem just as determined to do well in Europe. Will they will be able to cope with a war on two fronts?

- Claudio Ranieri. Has never won a major trophy in his career, and still makes far too many bizarre substitutions. Is not a proven ‘winner’ like Mourinho or Ancelotti.

- Not enough creativity in midfield. Juventus have been doing well in recent weeks, but could a lack of technical quality come back to bite them?

- Cristian Molinaro. In truth, the former Siena player has been playing surprisingly well of late, but what are the odds of him costing his side a crucial three points by playing the opposition centre forward 20 yards onside?

MILAN

Why They Will Win?

- No Champions League football. Milan will be able to focus on the Scudetto, while fielding their reserves in the Mickey Mouse (UEFA) Cup.

- Alexandre Pato. The youngster appears to have exploded recently, and many are predicting him to tear up defences between now and May.

- If Milan can keep their key players fit, namely Kaka, then you can never write them off.

- Marco Borriello. The ex-Genoa man will return from injury soon, and he could have a field day getting onto the end of David Beckham’s crosses.

- Paolo Maldini retires at the end of the season – is it fate that he lifts the Scudetto in the final game of his career?

Why They Won’t Win

- Nine points behind Inter. Although there are still 20 games to go, this is still a considerable margin. Milan can afford very few slip-ups now.

- Injury to Rino Gattuso. ‘Teen Wolf’ is an irreplaceable member of the Milan team and the heart, power and defensive protection he brings to the midfield cannot be substituted.

- The lack of a top-class centre back. Unless Alessandro Nesta can return soon, or a stopper is signed this month, it is difficult to see Milan keeping too many clean sheets.

- Weakness on set-pieces. How many goals do Milan concede on corners, free kicks and crosses?

- Milan’s final four games of the season are against Juventus, Udinese, Roma and Fiorentina – a quite frightening run-in. Inter play Chievo, Siena, Cagliari, Atalanta.

What are your views on this topic? Who do you think will win the Scudetto this season? Inter, Juventus or Milan? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think,