Prediction: Roma vs Inter Milan

Verdict: Both teams to score & match to end in a draw

Best Odds: 10/3

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who have a European finish at the top of their agenda, Roma will welcome Inter Milan to an empty Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night for what could be a lively encounter.

Roma

Starting with the hosts, although Roma’s woeful start to July might have started to worry many in their camp, I Giallorossi have really bounced back at what is a crucial time. Holding onto the lead in midweek and picking up a deserved 2-1 win against Verona on home soil, Paulo Fonseca’s side find themselves in the midst of a three-match Serie A winning run. While they might have left it too late to mount a late top-four charge, Roma still find themselves in pole position to secure another Europa League finish and they have gained a reputation for their success on home soil either side of the enforced break. With a European quarter-final on the horizon and landing back-to-back Serie A victories at the Stadio Olimpico, Fonseca’s men have won five of their last six contests in Rome. Although Sunday’s hosts might be enjoying their most fruitful spell since opening 2020, they have continued to show some worrying issues at the back, something Fonseca has been open about. Aside from a routine 3-0 romp against an almost relegated Brescia earlier in the month, that is the only clean sheet that Roma have recorded in their last nine appearances across all competitions.

Team News

In the midst of a real injury headache, Roma will be without Federico Fazio, Antonio Mirante, Chris Smalling and Juan Jesus.

Inter Milan

As for the visitors, although Inter Milan might have continued to show their own inconsistencies since marking a return from the enforced break, they should be boosted by what was a rampant display in midweek. Picking up a thumping 4-0 win against rock-bottom SPAL on their travels, Antonio Conte’s men find themselves sat six points adrift of Juventus with four Serie A contests remaining. Guaranteeing another campaign in the Champions League for next year, I Nerazzurri have landed back-to-back wins and are enjoying a scintillating run of form in the final third. Bagging 16 goals over their last five top-flight contests and only a free-scoring Atalanta returning more strikes this season, one man to keep an eye out for this weekend could be leading marksman, Romelu Lukaku. Enjoying a stellar maiden campaign at the San Siro since making a move from Manchester United last summer, the Belgium striker has recorded 25 goals across all competitions so far this campaign, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciro Immobile can boast a better return.

Team News

After settling for a place on the bench earlier in the week, Romelu Lukaku will be restored to Antonio Conte’s starting XI this weekend.

Elsewhere, Stefano Sensi is set to face a late fitness test.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 0-0 draw when the two sides faced off earlier in the season, each of the last four meetings between Roma and Inter have ended in a stalemate.
• Roma have won their last three Serie A matches on the bounce, scoring at least a pair of goals in those trio of victories.
• Inter Milan have scored 16 goals in their last five Serie A appearances.
• Four of Roma’s last five contests at the Stadio Olimpico have seen over 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
• Inter striker Romelu Lukaku has scored 25 goals across all competitions so far this season.

Conclusion

On paper, it is hard to see anything other than a lively contest on Sunday night. While Roma might find themselves in the midst of a three-match winning run, their brightest run of 2020, the hosts have continued to struggle with some worrying issues at the back. While Inter might have a chance to briefly cut the buffer at the top of the table to just three points, Antonio Conte’s men will be in for another tough night’s work on the road. With the two sides now playing out four stalemates on the bounce, we’re backing a similar outcome in Rome this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score & match to end in a draw

Best Odds: 10/3

Bookmaker: Unibet