Our Serie A tipster previews the mouth-watering contest between Inter Milan and Roma.
Just 13 rounds of Serie A football remain this season. Defending champions Juventus are at the summit, with the usual pack chasing the Old Lady. Can anyone catch them this time around? Or will the Turin club canter to yet another Scudetto?
On Sunday evening, title-chasers Inter Milan and Roma will clash at the San Siro stadium in the Serie A blockbuster of the week. Both teams have been in tremendous form and the match looks set to go down to the wire. Let’s take an in-depth look at just what we can expect from the Italian giants.
Italian Serie A | Sunday 26 February | San Siro Stadium | 21:45
To Win (90 Mins)
Inter Milan 31/20 | Draw 47/20 | Roma 33/20
Inter Milan
Inter Milan made it back-to-back victories last time out with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Bologna. It was the Nerazzurri’s ninth win from their last 10 matches and the Milan-based club will look to maintain that form against second-placed Roma.
Inter have been outstanding on home soil with nine wins from 12 games, scoring 27 goals and conceding just nine times. They have won their last eight consecutive matches on their ground as well as the last two meetings against Roma at the San Siro – winning 1-0 and 2-1.
The Nerazzurri made a stuttering start to the campaign but have bounced back in tremendous fashion. Inter are six points off Napoli and eight off Roma – the pair currently occupy the UEFA Champions League places – so this is a must-win game for the home side.
In team news, Mauro Icardi will return from suspension following the two-match ban he received after their controversial 1-0 defeat to defending champions Juventus. The Argentine did not receive a red card on the field, but was punished retrospectively for kicking the ball towards referee Nicola Rizzoli in protest, narrowly missing the official. The club captain was also fined €10,000, with Serie A highlighting his act of protest had come “with accompanying gestures”.
Icardi has been tremendous in front of goal this season, bagging 15 league goals and counting. His pace, agility, leadership and eye for goal have seen him thrive under manager Stefano Pioli.
The centre-back partnering of Gary Medel and Miranda has been a revelation as well. The South Americans have an almost telepathic understanding. Their organisation and workmanship is essential to the team and both players will need to be at their best to keep high-flying Roma at bay.
Roma
Roma thrashed Torino 4-1 last week Sunday to maintain their 100% win-record at the Stadio Olimpico this season. An impressive 12 wins from 12 home games, scoring 36 goals and conceding just eight times speaks volumes of the title-challengers.
However, as great as that is, it doesn’t count for much as the match will be contested at the San Siro. The Giallorossi have struggled on their travels this season with six wins, two draws and five defeats from 13 matches and that will need to prove if they are to come out of this unscathed.
Roma have been in top form with 10 league wins from their last 12 matches, including three on the spin, scoring 10 goals and conceding just once in those three clashes. Luciano Spalletti will be desperate to maintain that form in order to keep the pressure on table-toppers Juventus.
Edin Dzeko is without a doubt Roma’s main goal scoring threat. The Bosnian is joint top-scorer with Juve’s Gonzalo Higuain with 19 league goals this season. His aerial ability, strength and power will be needed if his team are to come out on top.
Verdict: Draw (47/20)
The reverse tie ended 2-1 in favour of Roma and this time around, Inter Milan will be looking to capitalise on home advantage. Nonetheless, both teams have been in phenomenal form. The teams are evenly matched and look up for the challenge. The draw looks a likely result.
Written by Aaron Crowie @Hollywoodbets
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