Will Inter get back on track?
Is the Serie A title already decided? Ahead of Matchday 31, the Nerazzurri sit comfortably at the top of the Italian top flight with a six-point lead. Nevertheless, after three league games without a win, Cristian Chivu’s team cannot afford another slip-up in our Inter Milan vs. AS Roma tip.
Things haven’t been going smoothly for Inter Milan’s upcoming opponent in recent weeks either. In addition to two away losses in the league, they were eliminated from the Europa League by Italian rivals Bologna. Despite the Nerazzurri’s recent dip in form, our Inter Milan vs. AS Roma prediction therefore leans toward a home win.
Most of the recent matchups between these two teams have been low-scoring affairs. In four of their last five meetings, only one goal was scored in each game. Furthermore, most of the visitors from Rome’s matches this season have been low-scoring.
Inter Milan – AS Roma Head-to-Head Record
The two teams have faced each other a total of 194 times in this Italian classic so far. The Nerazzurri lead the head-to-head record relatively clearly with 86 wins. Roma have won 54 times, and the points have been shared just as often in this fixture.
Five of the last six meetings have also gone to Inter, though Roma won the last Serie A away game at San Siro. Nevertheless, the Inter Milan vs. AS Roma betting odds indicate that the home side are the favorites.
Inter Milan – AS Roma Prediction
Following their embarrassing exit from the Champions League against Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, Inter’s title hopes this season are limited to the domestic cup competition and the league. However, following a spectacular winning streak in Serie A, things haven’t been going smoothly for the Nerazzurri in Italy’s top flight lately. Inter have now gone three games without a win this season.
In particular, the offense—which had been so strong up to that point—has been stifled by domestic competition in recent matches. In their last four competitive matches, Inter Milan has scored just two goals. Consequently, all of those matches ended with fewer than three goals scored. Against the Romans’ strong defensive block, it could once again be a test of patience for the team that still boasts the strongest offense in Serie A (66 goals).
And the defense, which had performed so well for much of this Serie A season, will also have to step up again this coming Sunday. In the last three matches, they haven’t kept a clean sheet.
The Nerazzurri’s upcoming opponent has also had a tough few weeks. In addition to being eliminated from the Europa League by league rivals Bologna, Roma suffered two away losses in the league. It was highly unusual for the Romans—who have been so defensively strong this season—to concede so many goals in those matches.
In their Europa League exit, they conceded four goals in the second leg, and two each in the away league matches in Genoa and Como. However, the narrow 1-0 victory in their last home game against Lecce was more indicative of what soccer under coach Gian Piero Gasperini has mostly stood for this season: clean sheets and narrow wins. Few goals conceded and, ideally, a clean sheet will also be the foundation this coming Sunday if Roma want to take home any points from Milan.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the 1-0 win against relegation-threatened Lecce was already the turning point for the Giallorossi. Despite Inter’s minor crisis, it’s likely to be tough for Gasperini’s side to pick up points at San Siro. The team from the Italian capital’s curious away record stands at seven wins, seven losses, and just one draw. So, on the road this season, it’s been all or nothing for AS Roma—will it be the same this coming Sunday?
