Roma v Inter Milan – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Roma host Inter Milan United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday afternoon. The hosts sit third in the table, three points behind Inter and four points off leader AC Milan. This is a big match in the title race between two in-form teams.

Roma Form

Roma have had a strong season so far. The side have lost just three of their last 21 matches in all competitions. In Serie A, Roma have won five of their last six matches with the lone defeat coming 4-1 away to Atalanta. Scoring goals has not been a problem with 16 netted in their last six.

In their last match, they won 3-1 at Crotone as Borja Mayoral scored twice Henrick Mkhitaryan scored the other.

Roma Team News

Roma have a doubt over winger Pedro with a hamstring problem. In attack, Borja Mayoral may have to make do with a place of the bench despite a brace in the last match as Edin Dzeko is set to be recalled.

Federico Fazio and Davide Santon are doubtful as defensive options and Javier Pastore is still out with a long term injury. Chris Smalling with anchor Roma’s back three and come up against former Man Utd teammate Romelu Lukaku in a crucial battle.

Roma Motivation

Paulo Fonseca is an attacking coach but his side have only the tenth best defensive record and if they open up, Inter Milan can destroy them on the counter-attack. Therefore, the Portuguese coach is expected to go with a 5-4-1 shape when out of possession. That will mean that they are largely matching up to Inter Milan.

A win is what the coach will want but a draw is not a bad result as it keeps both sides in the title race without losing too much ground.

Inter Form

Antonio Conte’s team have had an inconsistent season. After a run of three losses and five draws across ten matches in October and November, there were even calls for the coach to lose his job. Since then, Inter look a lot more like themselves. A run of eight wins in nine matches in all competitions was their response to losing at home to Real Madrid.

That run came to an end in their last match though after a surprise 2-1 defeat away to Sampdoria with Romelu Lukaku on the bench. A draw would have taken the team top of Serie A but instead, they sit one point off AC Milan. Prior to that defeat, Conte’s side had won eight in a row in the league.

Inter Team News

Internazionale are expected to welcome Romelu Lukaku back into the starting XI as he was only used as a substitute against Sampdoria due to a small injury. His return will mean that Alexis Sanchez is amongst the substitutes.

Inter continue to be without long-term knee injury victim Matias Vecino in midfield but have a clean bill of health otherwise in terms of regularly-used players.

Inter Motivation

This is a massive match in the title race and Inter Milan will be completely focused. They will want to win but are probably going to sit deep and play on the counter-attack using Lukaku’s pace and the movement of Lautaro Martinez. A draw would not be a bad result and it could be that Conte settles for one in the second half.

Key Stats

Roma have won 5 of their last six Serie matches

Roma have kept 1 clean sheet in their last 7 matches

The last 5 meetings between these sides have ended in draws

Roma’s last 6 home matches against Inter have seen both teams scoring

Inter Milan have won 8 of their last 9 Serie A matches

Inter Milan have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches

Internazionale have seen over 2.5 in each of their last 5 away matches

Inter have scored in the second half in each of their last 6 matches and last 7 on the road

Inter have scored a league-high 41 goals in Serie A

Prediction

This looks most likely to end in a score draw. Both sides are scoring goals and this fixture is hugely closely fought.