Saturday April 23rd 2011, 2pm GMT
Inter managed to put two straight defeats (one in the legue and one in the Champions League) behind them by securing a welcome 1-0 first leg cup win at Roma on Tuesday. Their listless performance at Parma last Saturday had indicated that their players were already looking ahead to next season, and for some, possibly their next club.
Speculation was rife during the week that Leonardo’s job at Inter is in danger, and that he is set to be replaced in the Summer. Some even went as far as to suggest that Jose Mourinho might make a return to the helm, but this seems unlikely. Regardless of who will be managing the club next season, the Nerazzurri need to stop shooting themselves in the foot if they want to ensure a return to Champions League football next season. With Lazio and Udinese hot on their heels, nothing can be taken for granted.
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| Lazio have confirmed that coach Edy Reja will remain in charge next season |
Lazio have had a recent run of inconsistent form, but they silenced the doubters – for a week at least – with a brutal second-half demolition of Catania last Sunday. Striker Mauro Zarate had been dropped before the game as a result of having turned up late for training. When Giuseppe Sculli was injured early on however, Zarate took the pitch and played a part in each of the Biancoceleste’s four goals – including an excellent strike from a free kick.
Giuseppe Sculli may not have recovered in time for Saturday’s game, and defender Stefan Radu will play no further part in Lazio’s season as he has suffered a serious back injury. Cristan Brocchi returns from injury to the Lazio midfield. Inter’s top scorer Samuel Eto’o missed their midweek cup game due to injury, and his fitness remains a slight doubt ahead of Saturday’s game.
Lazio scored a 3-1 win in their home game against Inter in December, and they will draw level on points with the Milan side if they win at the San Siro. They will be wary of losing fourth place to Udinese, who are just one point behind the Romans, and who host Parma on Saturday. Inter have suffered just one home defeat this season (to AC Milan), but Lazio will be the fresher of the two teams, having not played in midweek.
The Aquile produced one of their finest performances of the season last week at Cagliari, and if they can reproduce the same level of intensity I fancy their chances of picking up at least a point against Inter.
Prediction – Lazio +1 (handicap betting) – 3pts
Match odds: Inter 10/11
Draw 11/5
Lazio 3/1
Lazio +1 5/6
Inter: Last 5 Serie A Results
16.04.2011 – Parma 2-0 Inter
09.04.2011 – Inter 2-0 Chievo
02.04.2011 – AC Milan 3-0 Inter
20.03.2011 – Inter 1-0 Lecce
11.03.2011 – Brescia 1-1 Inter
Lazio: Last 5 Serie A Results
17.04.2011 – Catania 1-4 Lazio
10.04.2011 – Lazio 2-0 Parma
03.04.2011 – Napoli 4-3 Lazio
19.03.2011 – Lazio 1-0 Cesena
13.03.2011 – Roma 2-0 Lazio
