AS Roma vs Inter Milan
A Sunday lunchtime clash in Serie A is not something I am used to but this one really does have the potential for Serie A 2021 highlights.
It’s third versus second, and while I do not consider Roma genuine challengers, they remain just four points off the summit and have been known to lift their game for the big occasion.
As for Inter Milan, they have been able to win ugly at times this season, which is always the sign of a championship-winning team. But Antonio Conte failed again in the Champions League despite being one of the biggest-spending clubs in Europe.
That means there is even more pressure on him now to deliver the club’s first Scudetto in more than a decade.
Talking Points
Of course, all clubs are aiming to end the Old Lady of Juventus’ nine-year stranglehold on the title.
The home team go into this game just three points behind their visitors following Wednesday’s results, enabling the Giallorossi to draw level with Conte’s side should they taste victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma kept the pressure on the frontrunners with a 3-1 win at basement side Crotone, who conceded six goals against Inter last weekend.
Borja Mayoral scored twice and former Manchester United man Henrikh Mkhitaryan grabbed the third from the penalty spot – a result which makes this even more of an enthralling contest.
The Armenian’s performances have drawn praise from all corners of the Peninsula with his expert orchestration of an attacking high-wire act considered to be the main attraction in this iteration of the Roman circus.
Meanwhile, Inter were left to rue missed opportunities in a midweek defeat to Sampdoria.
Antonio Candreva, on loan from Inter – incredible that he was allowed to play on loan against his parent club – and Keita Balde netted for Sampdoria.
Inter will be without young centre-back Andrea Pinamonti who is out with a muscle injury and midfielder Matias Vecino, who is missing with a knee injury.
Tests have also reportedly revealed that defender Danilo D’Ambrosio has injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
He was forced to leave the pitch in the final minutes of the match against Sampdoria and the 32-year-old’s condition will be re-evaluated next week to assess the extent of the injury.
Apart from this, Conte will have a full squad of players to choose from.
Prolific marksman Romelu Lukaku couldn’t stop his team from losing after coming on as a second-half substitute in midweek and the Belgian will almost certainly start this one.
For the hosts, manager Paulo Fonseca will have to deal with injuries to some regular players.
Midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is out with a cruciate ligament injury, experienced winger Pedro misses out with a thigh injury, and full-back Leonardo Spinazzola is also on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Youngster Riccardo Calafiori and veteran Antonio Mirante are also on the sidelines.
Unlike Inter, Roma will struggle to overcome such absences or can they produce their Sunday best?
History
Since their very first meeting in the 1929/30 season, these teams have met in the Italian top-flight, the Coppa Italia, the former UEFA Cup and the Supercoppa.
Overall, Inter have triumphed 84 times, while there have been 56 Roma wins and 56 draws.
Only once since 2009 have Inter won in the Stadio Olimpico. That was in 2018 when goals from Mauro Icardi and Vecino overturned an Edin Dzeko opener to seal a 3-1 win.
Since then, all five meetings have ended all square, including both games last season.
A goalless draw at the San Siro last December was followed by a four-goal thriller in July when a late Lukaku penalty rescued a point for Inter in a 2-2 draw.
Betting Tip
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AS Roma vs Inter Milan | Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.07 |
| January 10, 7:30(GMT+8) |
After five successive draws, what’s the betting on yet another?
Well, in fact, you can get odds on a 1X2 draw @ 3.20.
The SBOTOP Serie A 2021 betting odds consider these sides fairly well matched, although Inter have the edge, as reflected by 1X2 @ 2.47 with the hosts @ 2.85.
Asian Handicap odds also edge towards Inter who can be backed -0.25 @ 2.16 and Roma +0.25 @ 1.79.
A repeat of the corresponding fixture last season – correct score 2-2 – is on offer @ 11.00 with over 3.00 goals @ 2.02.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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