Serie A Preview: Lazio vs Inter – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Locked together in an intense Serie A title race, Lazio and Inter go head-to-head in an early Scudetto six-pointer at Stadio Olimpico. There’s nothing but goal difference to separate the teams ahead of the kick-off, with both trailing table-topping Atalanta by six points.

Atalanta’s 1-0 triumph at Cagliari on Saturday has ramped up the pressure on Lazio and Inter to get into the win column. Marco Baroni’s men have frequently been there this season. A 3-1 win at Ajax in the UEFA Europa League last midweek solidified their momentum after beating Napoli in a mouth-watering doubleheader.

Last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Stadio Diego Maradona reignited Lazio’s spirits following a disappointing 3-1 defeat at newcomers Parma. Gustav Isaksen’s late winner on a rainy night in Naples restored confidence around the Biancocelesti camp amid hot pursuit of only a third Serie A title in the club’s history.

Inter will be out to hinder Lazio’s chances of returning to the throne for the first time since 1999/20, seeking redemption for a heart-wrenching defeat at Bayer Leverkusen last Tuesday. Nordi Mukiele’s 90th-minute goal denied the Nerazzurri a piece of UEFA Champions League history, knocking them down from a five-game unbeaten start (W4, D1).

Simone Inzaghi’s men were minutes away from becoming the first Champions League team to go the first six matches of a new campaign without conceding. It was also Inter’s first scoring blank on the road in five games (W4, L1), heightening the pressure on Lautaro Martinez and his teammates to get a result in Rome.

Match Preview

Lazio

Despite four defeats across the opening 15 matchdays, Lazio head into proceedings as one of only three sides to have hit double digits in terms of league victories (W10, D1). Most of their good work has come on this ground, where Baroni’s charges boast a near-flawless top-flight record this season (W6, D1).

As one of only four Serie A sides yet to lose a home match in 2024/25, Lazio stand out as one of the most formidable hosts in European football (W8, D2). Delivering action from the get-go, they have opened the scoring in seven of those eight wins, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start.

Given the strength of their opposition, nothing less would do on Monday. However, Lazio won’t shy away from the challenge. They may have slumped to a 2-0 defeat in this corresponding fixture last term, but they had enjoyed a prolific home run against Inter beforehand.

Indeed, three victories from four previous duels at this venue (D1) perfectly encapsulate their ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes encounters.

Inter

Inter had to swallow a bitter pill in Germany last week, relinquishing a remarkable 13-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W11, D2). But it was nothing less than Leverkusen deserved, considering they had the Nerazzurri on the ropes all game.

Whether it was fatigue or Inzaghi’s tactical choice, Inter didn’t look like a team capable of weathering the storm against a high-intensity opponent. However, equipped with confidence from their recent domestic triumphs, the visitors return to Serie A action, searching for a tenth consecutive unbeaten league outing (W7, D2).

They’ve been particularly outstanding on the road. Along with Juventus, they’re the only Serie A side yet to lose an away league game this season (W4, D2). It’s also worth noting that they’ve won on their last four top-flight travels, including a 1-0 triumph at this stadium against Roma.

That result initiated a run of three successive away league wins ‘to nil,’ bookended by an outrageous 5-0 rout of Hellas Verona in which they scored all goals before the break.

Team News

In addition to long-term absentee Alessio Romagnoli, Lazio will be without their leading goalscorer, Taty Castellanos, for accumulated yellow cards. On the bright side, Luca Pellegrini and Patric have passed fit for this meeting after minor fitness problems forced them to withdraw in Amsterdam.

As for Inter, Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard remain on the sidelines. It means ex-Lazio star Stefan de Vrij and 24-year-old Yann Bisseck will join forces with Alessandro Bastoni at the back. After commencing on the bench against Leverkusen, Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will likely regain their places in the midfield.

Lazio vs Inter Potential Starting Line-ups

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Noslin.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.

Lazio vs Inter Prediction

Although Lazio are perfectly capable of causing an upset, it takes a brave man to bet against Inter. Both sides enter this round in fine form, but the visitors’ strength in depth gives them a cutting edge. Yet, even without Castellanos, the hosts have the tools to topple their former manager.

Therefore, our recommendation is to kick back and enjoy the contest. It promises to be a memorable affair.