Serie A Preview – Inter vs Lazio Prediction

Inter are still without long-term absentee Nemanja Vidic, so will likely continue with Miranda and Murillo in the centre of defence, while Davide Santon is expected to return to the squad and will be pushing for inclusion. This game may come too soon for Andrea Ranocchia and Roberto Mancini is unlikely to make any drastic changes to what has been a successful formula for the league leaders.

Lazio have a number of players on the sidelines including goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and defender Stefan de Vrij, while Senad Lulic will be a big miss from the engine room. Under-fire head coach Stefano Pioli is sweating on the fitness of Keita who recently joined another striker in Ricardo Kishna on the injury list, though his defensive options could be bolstered by the return of Dusan Basta.

Possible Line-ups

Inter: 4-2-3-1 formation: Handanovic; Telles, Murillo, Miranda, Montoya; Melo, Guarin; Ljajic, Jovetic, Peresic; Icardi

Lazio: 4-3-1-2 formation: Berisha; Radu, Gentiletti, Hoedt, Konko; Parolo, Biglia, Cataldi; Candreva; Djordjevic, Klose

Statistics

  • Inter have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 8 home matches in Serie A.
  • Inter are unbeaten in their last 3 meetings with Lazio.
  • Lazio have been losing at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 7 away matches in Serie A.
  • There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Lazio’s last 5 games in Serie A.
  • Lazio have failed to win their last 7 Serie A matches.
  • Inter have lost just 1 of their last 10 Serie A matches.

Prediction

Inter have stolen a march on Juventus after the Old Lady’s slow start to the season and look like they’ll take some catching. Roberto Mancini’s men have a 4 point cushion at the top of the Serie A standings and will be confident of keeping their lead intact heading into the winter break.

Lazio are in disarray at the moment and any progress that Stefano Pioli makes with his players in training is being undone by constant individual mistakes in defence. The under-pressure manager may have bought himself a little more time by defeating Udinese 2-1 in the Coppa Italia, but Inter thrashed the same side 0-4 last weekend, so back-to-back wins look unlikely for the visiting side here.

Lazio’s weakness has been Inter’s strength, as Nerazzurri have so far recorded an impressive 11 Serie A clean sheets and the hosts will be extremely difficult to break down. Add to that the combined goal-scoring form of Mauro Icardi and Stevan Jovetic, and it would be considered a real shock if the home side did not prevail here.

Tips

Inter to win at 4/5 with BetVictor

Inter to win to nil at 2/1 with Paddy Power

Real Madrid to win 2-0 at 17/2 with 888sport

What are your predictions?

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