Roma v Inter Milan – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Roma host Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening. The hosts have won three matches since sacking Jose Mourinho while the visitors top the Serie A table. Inter won 1-0 when the sides met back in October.

Roma Form

After a run of three losses in five Serie A matches, the Giallorossi parted ways with Jose Mourinho. Their losses were a 2-0 defeat at Bologna and a 1-0 loss at Juventus, either side of beating Napoli 2-0 at home. A 1-1 home draw with Atalanta preceded a 3-1 defeat at AC Milan to put the nail in the Special One’s coffin.

Daniele De Rossi took over and immediately got a response from the players. They beat Verona 2-1 at home and then won 2-1 at struggling Salernitana despite having just five shots all game from 62% possession. On Monday, they thrashed Cagliari 4-0 at home. Roma had 20 shots and 2.71 xG in the victory.

Roma Team News

Recently appointed coach Daniele De Rossi has three players ruled out for this match. Tammy Abraham is still making his way back from a long-term knee injury. Left wingback Leonardo Spinazzola has a muscle injury and is unlikely to feature.

Chris Smalling has been out for over five months with injury. He is nearing a comeback, but this one comes too soon. It could be an unnamed starting XI from the win over Cagliari.

Roma Motivation

Since the coaching change, motivation is much higher. Roma have won successive home matches and are playing with more passion.

They will try to win this match to close the gap to the top four.

Inter Form

Inter have lost just once in 22 Serie A matches this season and are four points clear at the summit. They have plundered 51 goals with a measly 10 conceded thus far. In away matches, they have nine wins and two draws from 11 outings with 25 scored and just four goals leaked. They thrashed Monza 5-1 away in round 18.

A 3-0 home win over Lazio came before a solid 1-0 away win at Napoli (after a last-minute goal) and Fiorentina. Their last match saw a 1-0 home win over Juventus thanks to an own goal. Inter allowed the Old Lady just 0.66 Expected Goals in that victory.

Inter Team News

Wingback Juan Cuadrado is ruled out with an Achilles injury and won’t be available. Central midfielder Davide Frattesi has a muscle injury and is out.

Coach Simone Inzaghi has a very settled team. His one choice is whether to use Matteo Darmian or Denzel Dumfries as the right wingback. The rest of the XI picks itself.

Inter Motivation

Inter are very confident and are playing some brilliant football.

On the road, they are flying. They will back themselves to go to Rome and win. Another solid display with a clean sheet and nicking a goal is likely to be their strategy.

Key Stats

Roma have won their last 3 matches

Roma have lost just 1 of their 12 home Serie A matches this term

Roma are winless in 6 home matches vs Inter Milan, conceded 2+ goals in each match

Inter Milan have lost 1 of 22 Serie A matches this season

Inter Milan have won 9 and drawn 2 of the 11 league matches (25 scored, 4 conceded)

Verdict

Inter are flying right now and they have a brilliant scoring record in Rome. They are tipped to continue their sizzling away record.

Best Bet: Inter Milan win at 1.90

Alternate Bet: Inter Milan to score Over 1.5 team goals at 2.10

Value Bet: Inter Milan win and Lautaro Martinez to score anytime at 3.27

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis