Red-hot Inter Milan take on out-of-sorts Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-final clash at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, where the hosts are strong favourites to qualify to the next stage.

The Nerazzurri have had their share of problems this season, but things have improved a great deal since former Biancocelesti boss Stefano Pioli took over.

Following the initial adjustment period, Inter Milan seriously raised their game in the last couple of months, going on to record nine straight victories in all competitions.

The excellent winning streak saw the Nerazzurri climb to fourth in the league standings and they are now effectively back in the race for Champions League positions.

Following the 3-0 hammering of Pescara, Inter Milan sit mere three points behind third-placed Napoli, but now it’s time to turn the focus to their Coppa Italia campaign.

With their next opponents Lazio doing through a rough patch, it is important to note that home win pays 2.10 (11/10) with Paddy Power.

Head coach Stefano Pioli is widely expected to ring changes to his starting line-up, with the likes of Eder, Palacio and Gabriel Barbosa likely to start.

Jeison Murillo is unlikely to be risked as he is recovering from a bout of flu, but Cristian Ansaldi is available after serving a one-match ban.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Carrizo – D’Ambrosio, Medel, Ranocchia, Ansaldi – Gagliardini, Kondogbia – Gabigol, Mario, Eder – Palacio.

Up until a week ago, Lazio, too, were flying high in the Serie A standings, but back to back defeats to Juventus and Chievo have changed everything.

The Biancocelesti have been leapfrogged by Inter Milan and now trail third-placed Napoli five points, which is definitely a problem.

Lazio have failed to score a single goal in said two defeats, and head coach Simone Inzaghi will be delighted to welcome back top scorer Ciro Immobile to the side.

The Italy international missed the Chievo defeat through suspension, and he should play a part in the Coppa Italia clash against Inter Milan.

With the Serie A campaign clearly the priority at the moment, Inzaghi is also likely to make changes to his starting XI, bringing in Jordan Lukaku, Filip Djordjevic and Cristiano Lombardi.

Federico Marchetti and Balde Diao Keita continue to miss out, but Ricardo Kishna has recovered from injury and he is in contention.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Strakosha – Patric, Wallace, Hoedt, Lukaku – Parolo, Biglia, Lulic – Lombardi, Djordjevic, Felipe Anderson.