Inter host Lazio at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Serie A on Sunday night, with the home side looking to end 2015 with three points having already being guaranteed top spot heading into the new year following their 4-0 victory over Udinese last weekend.
The Nerazzurri have enjoyed a fantastic campaign to date following a summer of upheaval in their playing staff, with Roberto Mancini’s men having only lost twice so far in Serie A as the year draws to a close.
The Biscione currently lead the table on 36 points after round 16 following that victory at Udinese, and sit four points clear of nearest rivals Fiorentina and Napoli in second and third respectively, with in-form Juventus on 30 points in fourth. The Milan giants boast an impressive home record this season, winning six of their eight fixtures, losing just once, 4-1 to Fiorentina back in September with that game being the only time the Nerazzurri have conceded a goal at home this campaign in Serie A.
The Biancocelesti, meanwhile, have really struggled of late with coach Stefano Pioli’s job at the Stadio Olimpico under immense pressure having failed to win a Serie A fixture since October.
Le Aquile sit in 12th position in the standings on 20 points, only six points off third bottom side Frosinone. The Roman sides away form has been dreadful to date, with only one win and six defeats in their seven fixtures, with a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona at the end of September their only points on the road to date.
Last seasons fixtures between the teams provided plenty of entertainment, with the sides drawing 2-2 in the first game in Milan in December. The return leg in May at the Olimpico ended 2-1 to the Nerazzurri, thanks to two goals from former Lazio midfielder Hernanes.
That victory was Inter’s first in Rome since 2010 with Lazio winning four of the previous five encounters at the Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti will be looking to extend their run of scoring in each of the last ten Serie A games between the sides, while Mancini’s men will be looking for their 12th clean sheet this campaign in the league.
Gary Medel and Felipe Melo are expected to start for the Nerazzurri in central midfield, while six goal top-scorer Mauro Icardi will lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Etrit Berisha is set to replace first choice goalkeeper Federico Marchetti between the sticks for the Biancocelesti after the 32-year-old suffered a hamstring injury against Sampdoria on Monday.
Form Guide: Inter (W-L-W-W-W) Lazio (L-L-D-D-W)
Expected Starting XIs:
Inter: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Telles; Medel, Melo, Perisic, Jovetic, Ljajic; Icardi.
Lazio: Berisha; Basta, Mauricio, Radu, Konko; Biglia, Parolo, Cataldi; Candreva, Milinkovic-Savic; Matri.
Infographic from www.sporticos.com
