Roma vs Inter Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Roma:
Pau Lopez; Ibanez, Smalling, Mancini; Karsdorp, Villar, Veretout, Spinazzola; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Dzeko
Inter:
Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal, Darmian; Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez
Roma welcome second-placed Inter to the Stadio Olimpico in their Serie A fixture on Sunday lunchtime. The Giallorossi are third on the table with 33 points, but need a victory here to remain competitive in the Champions League battle. The actual form is very good, three wins on the last three matches in Serie A. First they beat Cagliari with 3:2. The victory was secured in the final 20 minutes thanks to goals scored by Edin Dzeko and Gianluca Mancini. Previously Veretout netted in the first half. Paulo Fonseca's men beat Sampdoria with 1:0 in the next encounter. Once again the victory was secured in the final 20 minutes and once again Edin Dzeko was the scorer. It was a hard match played in hard weather conditions. The heavy rain and horribly soaked pitch produced big problems to the players, but Roma found a way to register an important victory. On Wednesday the capital club outplayed Crotone to secure a 3:1 away win. The match was decided in the first half thanks to the Spanish striker Borja Mayoral who scored twice in a rare league start. The third goal was scored by penalty converted by Mkhitaryan. Winning against so called "small teams" isn't a problem, but playing against other top teams in Italy is quite opposite for Roma. The Giallorossi have failed to win any of their four games played against big teams in Serie A so far this season. They picked up draws against Milan and Juventus, while lost to Napoli and Atalanta. Overall, they have scored 6, while conceded 13 goals. The Portuguese coach could be the reason - Roma have only won three games from 17 against the top sides since Fonseca took the job in summer 2019. For this match Fonseca has some injury worries as Pedro, Federico Fazio, goalkeeper Antonio Mirante are sidelined, plus long-term absentees Javier Pastore and Nicolo Zaniolo. Full-back Davide Santon has returned to training and could make the bench, while Leonardo Spinazzola is rated as doubtful due to a muscle injury.
Inter are on the second position with 36 points, one behind Milan. The actual form is not at desired level, they have one win and one defeat on two matches in new year. They outplayed Crotone securing a high 6:2 victory at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the first Serie A game of 2021. Lautaro Martinez was the key name on that match after scored a hat-trick, while the remaining three goals were scored by Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi and Luca Marrone (own goal). It was the first league hat-trick of an Inter player since Mauro Icardi in March 2017. However, the Nerazzurri were unfortunate to lose 2:1 against Sampdoria in midweek. Alexis Sanchez, who replaced Romelu Lukaku in the starting eleven - saw an early penalty saved before the former Inter players Antonio Candreva and Keita Balde scored for Sampdoria. Second-half header from Stefan de Vrij wasn't enough to escape the defeat and ended a run of eight straight victories. The 'consolation' goal came within minutes of Lukaku's arrival from the bench and showed Inter's reliance on their key striker. It is clear Lautaro Martinez struggles when paired with Alexix Sanchez. The good news was that table-topping city rivals AC Milan also lost to leave them just one point behind. Another good news for the coach Antonio Conte is that Romelu Lukaku is ready to start here. But there are some injury issues too. Defender Danilo D'Ambrosio injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee last time out and will be sidelined for a longer period. Matias Vecino and Andrea Pinamonti remain sidelined through injury. Marcelo Brozovic has to be careful as another yellow card could see them suspended for the next week's derby against Juventus.
Roma vs Inter Prediction:
This is a massive match for both clubs. Roma are in series of three victories and the players confidence is very high. Inter need a victory after the last defeat against Sampdoria, and ahead of next week's encounter with Juventus. I think Roma will not lose the match. It is true they are not too successful against top teams, but the home advantage and better form could be decisive here.
Roma vs Inter Pick: Roma +0.5 AH @ 1.65 with
Pinnacle