Inter Milan vs Roma Prediction & Match Preview

Serie A | Gameweek 10
Oct 29, 2023 at 5pm UK
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

The spotlight will be firmly on Stadio Giuseppe Meazza as Inter and Roma prepare to clash in a highly anticipated Serie A derby.

The Nerazzurri cruised to a 3-0 victory against Torino and enter Sunday’s showdown with momentum following their hard-fought Champions League win (2-1) over Salzburg. Alexis Sanchez is expected to retain his spot in the starting lineup, riding high on his standout performance in the midweek triumph. Unfortunately, both Juan Cuadrado and Marko Arnautovic are sidelined due to injuries.

On the other side, Roma secured a 1-0 win against a ten-man Monza last weekend, with El Shaarawy netting a late winner, although their overall display left much to be desired.

Given Inter’s recent impressive form, we anticipate that Jose Mourinho’s team may leave Milan empty-handed. However, Roma’s Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Renato Sanches, Tammy Abraham, and Marash Kumbulla are still in the recovery room, while Chris Smalling is a major doubt.

Team News:

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi will have to continue without his summer signings Juan Cuadrado, who is dealing with an Achilles issue, and Marko Arnautovic, sidelined due to a thigh injury for this upcoming weekend. However, there’s optimism that both players may return to action sooner than anticipated.

In the forthcoming match, Inter is expected to reintroduce Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco, and Nicolo Barella to the starting lineup, as they were on the bench during the previous game against Salzburg. Additionally, Francesco Acerbi is set to join Inzaghi’s defensive trio.

Lautaro Martinez has been a standout performer in the current season, tallying an impressive 11 Serie A goals. He stands just two goals shy of equalling Giuseppe Meazza’s record of 14 goals in the 1933-34 season – a feat he could achieve with a hat-trick against Roma. Notably, Martinez has only scored once in nine previous league matches against Giallorossi, setting the stage for his reunion with the other half of the renowned ‘Lu-La’ duo that once led Inter to a Scudetto victory.

On the other side, Roma’s Romelu Lukaku, sure to be met with a cool reception, has scored eight goals in his last nine Serie A away matches but has struggled to find the net in 10 of his last 13 games played at San Siro.

Former Inter manager Jose Mourinho, now at Roma, is expected to field his strongest possible lineup after making changes in the goalkeeper and wing-back positions during the midweek match. However, Mourinho will have to watch the game from a distance due to a suspension following his taunting of Monza’s coaching staff in the previous weekend.

Roma will be without the services of Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini (the captain), Marash Kumbulla, and Tammy Abraham, who are sidelined with injuries. In their absence, Andrea Belotti is likely to start as the forward. While Chris Smalling has returned to full training, he may not be included in the starting lineup.