Prediction: Lazio vs Inter

13th May 2012

Lazio and Inter will have everything to play for when they square off at Olimpico seeing the two teams are locked in the battle for the final Champions League berth. It could easily happen that not even the winner of this clash finish in top 3, but the two sides have got to win their best to win this game and hope other results will go their way.

The interesting thing about Lazio is they have been criticized from the very start to the season even if the team have done pretty well this season. The Biancocelesti did suffer too many slip-ups at their Olimpico, having struggled to beat even the relegation strugglers at home, but the good thing is they recorded no less than eight victories away from home, which helped them remain in contention for a top 3 finish. Due to huge selection problems, Edy Reja’s side saw a major downtrend in form over the last few weeks, but once again a hard-fought away victory helped the team return to the right track. Lazio now need to beat Inter and Udinese to lose at Catania in order to clinch the final Champions League berth, but such a scenario looks highly unlikely and here is why. Federico Marchetti and Andre Dias miss out through suspension, while Matuzalem, Radu, Hernanes, Garrido, Brocchi, Alfaro and Stankevicius are all out injured, leaving Edy Reja short of options in all areas of the pitch.

There are no doubts this has been a very disappointing season for Inter, but the Neroazzurri are hoping to make the best of it and at least ensure European qualification through league finish. The Giuseppe Meazza outfit needed a lot of time to hit the ground running, with frequent managerial changes doing nothing to aid team’s Serie A chances, but the Neroazzurri appear to have finally found their game under Andrea Stramaccioni. The talented manager helped the players restore the lost confidence, while the formation change also yielded great results. By winning five of eight games since Strama took over Inter climbed to sixth place in the standings, but the good run of results will be in vain unless the Neroazzurri can beat Lazio. The visitors, too, have some selection problems, but these are much less than those of their opponents. Julio Cesar is banned, whereas Joel Obi, Cristian Chivu, Luc Castaignos and Dejan Stankovic are sidelined through injury.

Conclusion

Lazio are far from the desired form and will be missing quite a few first team regulars, which is something Inter will be looking to take advantage of. The Neroazzurri are now playing with a lot of confidence and I can see them winning or at least taking one point at Olimpico.

Verdict: Inter Draw no bet

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Ladbrokes