Serie A Preview: Roma vs Inter – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

There’s more than just bragging rights at stake as Roma and Inter go head-to-head in Serie A’s top-four six-pointer at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night. Only three points separate the sides before the kick-off, with the visitors aiming to overtake their opposition in the standings with a win.

New Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has enjoyed a superb start in Serie A, guiding the Giallorossi to five wins in the opening six rounds (L1). Gasperini’s team overhauled an early deficit in a 2-1 victory at Fiorentina on the eve of the international break to draw level on points with early pacesetters Napoli.

Another win here would significantly boost Roma’s hopes of securing their first top-four finish in Serie A since 2017/18. Indeed, on each of the previous four occasions the Giallorossi won at least six of their opening seven top-flight matches, they went on to finish inside the top two.

However, that could prove easier said than done, with high-flying Inter rolling into town. After suffering two defeats in his first three league games in charge of the Nerazzurri, Cristian Chivu has steadied the ship and steered his side back into contention for the Scudetto.

Inter headed into the international break in high spirits after winning five consecutive matches in all competitions. Ange-Yoan Bonny enjoyed an impressive first Serie A start in the Nerazzurri shirt, scoring once and providing three assists in Inter’s 4-1 demolition of Cremonese last time out.

Match Preview

Roma

With only goal difference keeping them off the summit, Roma fans must be on cloud nine amid Gasperini’s remarkable start in the capital. However, Inter’s upcoming visit will put Roma’s Scudetto credentials to the test as the Giallorossi have lost seven of their last nine league meetings with the San Siro club (W2).

Still, Roma emerged 1-0 winners from their last encounter against Inter in April, putting themselves in a position to win back-to-back top-flight duels for the first time since 2016/17. Playing at the intimidating Stadio Olimpico comes as a confidence boost for the hosts, given their formidable home record of late.

Indeed, Roma have racked up an eye-catching 12 wins from their last 15 home league outings (D2, L1). Interestingly, five of the eight most recent yielded a narrow 1-0 scoreline, highlighting the potential for an evenly contested affair. Given the circumstances, there’s no doubt that the home faithful would embrace another hard-fought triumph.

Inter

As mentioned earlier, Inter won five competitive games in a row before the international break disrupted their momentum. Making it six on the trot would keep the Nerazzurri firmly in the title race, yet that’s a feat they last achieved in March 2024, underscoring the size of the task ahead.

On the bright side, Inter saw off Cagliari on their last Serie A travel as Lautaro Martinez and Francesco Pio Esposito scored on either side of halftime. That victory in Sardinia means that each of their last four league wins outside San Siro has produced an identical 2-0 scoreline.

With that in mind, leaving the home comforts of Giuseppe Meazza should not be an issue for Inter. Adding to this sentiment, Inter have netted precisely two goals in five of their last seven away league fixtures. Furthermore, Chivu’s men boast the best scoring record in Serie A this season with 17 goals.

Team News

Roma talisman Paulo Dybala has reportedly regained full fitness and will be in contention for his first Serie A start this season. Meanwhile, marquee summer signing Leon Bailey remains on the sidelines with a thigh injury, while Angelino is still recovering from illness.

On the other hand, Inter will make this trip without standout center-forward Marcus Thuram. The Frenchman suffered a thigh injury against Slavia Prague in late September. With Thuram out, Bonny will likely partner up with Martinez in attack. Matteo Darmian is the only remaining absentee in the traveling squad.

Roma vs Inter Potential Starting Line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Wesley, Cristante, Kone, Tsimikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Dovbyk.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Bonny, Martinez.

Roma vs Inter Prediction

As Serie A’s best defense, Roma have the means to cope with free-scoring Inter despite losing four successive home showdowns since December 2021. Ominously, three of those four defeats saw them concede multiple goals while managing to find the net only twice in total.

Roma’s perennial struggles in this fixture leave us with no choice but to back Inter for success.