MX23RW : Saturday, July 18 06:25:22| >> :120:44076:44076:
Jul 19, 2020 at 8.45pm UK at Stadio Olimpico
RomaRoma
vs.
Inter MilanInter Milan

Preview: Roma vs. Inter Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A clash between Roma and Inter Milan, including team news and predicted lineups.

Inter Milan will be looking to keep their slender hopes of catching Juventus at the top of Serie A alive when they travel to fifth-placed Roma on Sunday night.

Antonio Conte's side are currently second in the table, six points behind leaders Juve, while Roma are fifth, four points clear of sixth-placed Napoli but 12 behind fourth-placed Lazio.


Match preview

Paulo Fonseca pictured as Roma boss in August 2019© Reuters

Only a miracle would see Roma make the top four before the end of the 2019-20 campaign, but Paulo Fonseca's side are currently fifth in the table as they bid to secure a return to European football.

Roma did not finish outside of the top three in Serie A between 2013 and 2018 but ended last season in sixth, meaning that fifth would be an improvement, even if they are still some way off a return to the Champions League.

The Yellow and Reds have actually lost 10 of their 33 league matches this season, but they have won each of their last three in Italy's top flight to open up a four-point advantage over sixth-placed Napoli.

Fonseca's side will enter this weekend's match off the back of a 2-1 win over Hellas Verona on Wednesday night, while they have also beaten Parma and Brescia since losing at Napoli on July 5.

Inter Milan players celebrate with Ashley Young after he scored their opening goal in a win over Brescia© Reuters

Inter, meanwhile, will enter Sunday's clash off the back of a 4-0 win over SPAL on Thursday night, which made it back-to-back successes in the league, having also beaten Torino earlier in the week.

Conte's side moved above Atalanta BC due to their success on Thursday and are now second in the table, six points behind leaders and reigning champions Juve.

A lot would have to happen over the next five matches for Inter to wrestle first position away from the Old Lady, but the Milan giants must keep winning and simply see where that takes them.

The Black and Blues are likely to fall short in terms of the title this season, but there is no question that they have made huge strides forward under Conte, and it could be a big summer window for the club.

Roma Serie A form: LLLWWW

Inter Milan Serie A form: WWLDWW


Team News

Romelu Lukaku in action for Inter Milan on September 25, 2019© Reuters

Roma will again be without the services of Federico Fazio, Antonio Mirante, Chris Smalling and Juan Jesus through injury, while Davide Santon is again likely to miss out with a muscular problem.

Fonseca is likely to shuffle his pack from the side that started against Verona, although Edin Dzeko is again set to be supported by Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lorenzo Pellegrini in attack.

Nicolo Zaniolo is one of those expected to come into the XI, while Davide Zappacosta is also pushing for a position in the side, potentially at the expense of Bruno Peres.

As for Inter, Romelu Lukaku was rested against SPAL on Thursday night, but the Belgium international is expected to return to the starting XI for this match.

Nicolo Barella could also make the bench after overcoming a muscular problem, although Matias Vecino is out until August and Stefano Sensi faces a late fitness test.

Borja Valero could get the nod over Christian Eriksen in an advanced midfield position, while Alexis Sanchez could drop to the bench despite his impressive form since the restart.

Roma possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Mancini, Ibanez, Kolarov; Spinazzola, Zaniolo, Veretout, Zappacosta; Mkhitaryan, Dzeko, Pellegrini

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Godin; Young, Gagliardini, Brozovic, Candreva; Valero; Martinez, Lukaku


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Roma 1-1 Inter Milan

Inter are in need of a win to keep their slender title hopes alive, but Roma will be full of confidence following a run of three straight wins. We are struggling to pick a winner in this clash and have therefore tipped a low-scoring draw, which would be a good result for the home side.


ID:406947:

Who will win Sunday's Serie A clash between Roma and Inter Milan?

Roma
Draw
Inter Milan
Roma
25.0%
Draw
37.5%
Inter Milan
37.5%
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Juventus33245470353577
2Inter Milan33218472343871
3Atalanta BCAtalanta33217593435070
4Lazio33216668353369
5Roma331761061441757
6Napoli33158105344953
7AC Milan33158104842653
8SassuoloSassuolo33138126257547
9Hellas VeronaHellas Verona331111114141044
10Bologna331110124752-543
11CagliariCagliari331011124849-141
12Parma33117154547-240
13Fiorentina33912124145-439
14Sampdoria33115174254-1238
15Torino33114184160-1937
16Udinese3399153146-1536
17Genoa3379174063-2330
18Lecce3378184174-3329
19Brescia3356223070-4021
20SPALSPAL3354242362-3919

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