Serie A leaders Inter have a tough test on Friday evening, when they host fifth-placed AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan. Last season both Serie A matches between these two teams ended with draws, 2-2 in Rome and 1-1 in Milan. That was the third consecutive draw between Roma and Inter, and the fourth in the last seven matches. Overall, Roma have won two of the last six direct meetings, while Inter won just one.
Inter Milan are having their best season since 2011, the last time they really challenged for the Serie A title. That time they finished second behind local rivals AC Milan, but now they seem capable to push Juventus all the way and maybe even grab the title. Last week Inter defeated Spal 2-1 to record their fifth consecutive Serie A win, a result that allowed them to leapfrog Juventus at the top of the table. There is just one point between the two sides, though, so any slip up could lead to a change of leadership in Serie A. Alexis Sanchez, Nicolo Barella, Stefano Sensi, Kwadwo Asamoah and Roberto Gagliardini are injured for the home side.
Roma are desperate to make their return to Champions League football next season, after having finished sixth in Serie A last year. This season will most likely lead to another close battle for a top-four place for Roma. They are fifth at the moment, tied on 28 points with surprise package Cagliari. Last week Roma secured a 3-1 victory at Verona, their second consecutive Serie A win, and they have lost just one of their seven away matches this season. Davide Zappacosta, Javier Pastore, Bryan Cristante and Justin Kluivert are injured and won't be in the squad for this match.
Probable line-ups:
Inter: Handanovic - D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Skriniar - Lazaro, Vecino, Valero, Brozovic, Biraghi - Lukaku, Martinez
Roma: Lopez - Spinazzola, Mancini, Smalling, Kolarov - Diawara, Veretout - Zaniolo, Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan - Dzeko
My prediction:
This will be a tough one for Inter and I think their winning streak will come to an end, the most likely result is a 1-1 draw here.
Here are the odds for the match at NetBet:
Inter win - 1.91
Draw - 3.80
Roma win - 3.80
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