Prediction: Lazio vs Inter Milan

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown on Sunday night, Lazio will welcome title contenders Inter Milan to the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio

Starting with the hosts, while Lazio might have eventually fallen to a 2-0 loss away at Spanish giants Atletico Madrid earlier in the week, Maurizio Sarri’s men punched their Champions League knockout stage ticket with plenty of time to spare. Shocking many across the continent and also clinching a Serie A silver medal finish last season, the one-time Chelsea boss has seen his squad continue to gain a reputation for their continued success on home soil. Last seen at the Stadio Olimpico picking up a gritty 1-0 victory against Genoa, Lazio have collected 22 points from their previous eight home fixtures across all competitions. Likewise, not suffering a single defeat in front of their own supporters since a 1-0 loss against Genoa back on August 27th, Sarri’s side will be desperate to make up some ground in the top-six chase here.

Team News

Dealing with a recent calf injury and not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, Lazio will once again be without 28-year-old defender Alessio Romangnoli on Sunday night. However, despite serving a Champions League suspension earlier in the week, former Juventus starlet Nicolo Rovella could make an immediate return here.

Although attacking talisman Ciro Immobile might have failed to find the net in any of his previous four appearances across all competitions, the Italian international should spearhead Sarri’s charge at the Stadio Olimpico.

Inter Milan

As for the visitors, while Inter Milan might have been disappointed after signing off their Champions League group stage adventure with a 0-0 stalemate against Real Sociedad earlier in the week, Simone Inzaghi’s side have enjoyed a stellar run of form since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Despite being forced to settle for a bronze medal finish among Italy’s elite last season, the Nerazzurri have their sights set on recapturing their Serie A crown in the New Year. Last seen in top-flight action breezing their way to a 4-0 romp against Udinese, the one-time Lazio boss will be desperate to get one over on his former employers here. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a two-point buffer over the chasing pack, Inter Milan have lost just one of their first 21 straight appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Once again missing out against Real Sociedad earlier in the week and still dealing with a recent muscle injury, Inter Milan will be without the services of defensive talisman Denzel Dumfries. Likewise, not making a single appearance since the start of November, ex-Bayern Munich ace Benjamin Pavard remains on the sidelines.

Finding the net in back-to-back Serie A appearances, France international Marcus Thuram will once again partner Lautaro Martinez in the final third. Handed a rest in midweek, Italian ace Nicolo Barella will certainly be handed a full recall at the Stadio Olimpico.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Lazio and Inter Milan last met back on April 30th, the Nerazzuri picked up a 3-1 romp on home soil.
• However, Inzaghi’s side have collected just a single point from their last four trips to the Stadio Olimpico.
• Each of the last four meetings between Sunday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Lazio have collected 22 points from their previous eight home fixtures across all competitions – a run that stems October 8th.
• Inter Milan have lost just one of their first 21 straight appearances across all competitions since opening up the 2023/24 campaign.

Conclusion

While Lazio and Inter Milan might have a habit of producing fireworks when they meet, we are expecting chances to come at a premium here. Along with the Nerazzurri not shipping a single strike in over 300 minutes of action across all competitions, Sunday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their defensive steel at the Stadio Olimpico. It should be highlighted, on a run that stems all the way back to October 8th, Sarri’s men have recorded a clean sheet in all of their previous seven straight showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet