Inter vs Lazio preview

May 9, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Inter vs LazioFew years back, this fixture in the penultimate round of Serie A would probably have decided the outcome of the title race, but the reality is Inter and Lazio and now vying for Europa League positions.

The Nerazzurri would all but secure European qualification with three points, whereas the Biancocelesti need a win at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to keep their European hopes alive.

Walter Mazzarri’s first season at the club hasn’t exactly gone as planned, but at least Inter look set for a top 5 finish.

The 15-point gap behind Champions League positions is enough to suggest the club officials will have to work hard during off season if they want to see the results improve next term.

Major squad rebuilding is indeed on the horizon, but Inter first need to cement the fifth place in the final two rounds and secure European qualification.

Last week’s defeat to bitter rivals AC Milan ended a good run of results, with the Nerazzurri now 1.80 (4/5) to return to winning ways against Lazio.

Inter will face relegation-threatened Chievo away in the final game of the season, meaning they need to try and finish the job against Lazio or risk missing out on Europe altogether.

Esteban Cambiasso misses out through suspension, whereas Juan Jesus is out injured. Andrea Ranocchia should again be preferred to Hugo Campagnaro.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Ranocchia, Samuel, Rolando – Jonathan, Hernanes, Kuzmanovic, Kovacic, Nagatomo – Icardi, Palacio.

While they did show some promise under Edy Reja, Lazio are pretty fortunate to still be in with a chance of achieving a top 6 finish.

Very late goals against top 6 rivals Torino and Hellas Verona helped the Biancocelesti remain just few points behind Europa League positions, but they still face an uphill task.

With just two games to go, Lazio sit two points behind sixth-placed Torino, while the likes of Parma, Milan and Hellas Verona are all in front of them in the overall standings.

After salvaging one point by scoring in injury time against Verona, Lazio will have to show some improvement if they want to win at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

The Biancocelesti are priced at 5.00 (4/1) to defeat Inter on Saturday and make the race for Europa League places even more interesting.

Senad Lulic is banned, while Ederson, Helder Postiga, Federico Marchetti, Abdoulay Konko, Stefan Radu and Gael Kakuta all miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-3): Berisha – Biava, Cana, Dias – Gonzalez, Biglia, Ledesma, Pereirinha – Candreva, Keita, Mauri.

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!