Inter

The Nerazurri are undefeated when taking on Lazio at the Olimpico since December 2003 and have not conceded a goal in their last three visits, scoring seven goals in the process.

Rafael Benitez’s side bounced back to form with a convincing 5-2 home win over Parma last week – without the suspended Samuel Eto’o.

But they are going to have to cope without him again for this clash with second-placed Lazio, plus key absentees Julio Cesar, Maicon and Walter Samuel.

Wesley Sneijder (6/1 First Goalscorer) is expected to be handed the ‘Steven Gerrard’ role in the formation Benitez found moderate success with at Liverpool.

Sneijder has been pushed up to play with Goran Pandev (11/2) but it was Dejan Stankovic (15/2) who found all the space as he bagged a hat-trick last week at the San Siro.

Lazio’s Brazilian schemer Hernanes and Argentinian hitman Mauro Zarate were marked out of last week’s 1-1 home draw with lowly Catania and must have an impact on the match if the Biancoceleste are to avoid dropping points for the third straight week.

The Spanish title race continues on Saturday when Barcelona (2/9) travel to Pamplona to face struggling Osasuna and Real Madrid (1/3) entertain dangerous Valencia.

Jose Mourinho must ensure his side do not suffer another blow to their morale following the 5-0 Monday night humbling at the hands of the champions.

The Portuguese coach will bring Alvaro Arbeloa in for the suspended Sergio Ramos and bank on a much better performance from Real than the hollow showing at the Nou Camp.

Ricardo Carvalho is also suspended while Gonzalo Higuain has been ruled out for two months because of a back problem.

Lionel Messi is expected to shake off a knock picked up in the ‘Clasico’ to be fit for the trip to Pamplona, but Gabi Milito remains sidelined.

Osasuna have been unable to use their training ground due to heavy snow in the north of Spain this morning.

The pitch at the club’s Reyno de Navarra stadium was also covered in thick snow, but ground staff are working hard to clear the surface for Saturday’s game which is not thought to be under threat at the moment.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

A Mirko Vucinic double was enough to seal victory for the league leaders, who remain one point ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Struggling Lazio shocked their local rivals by taking a 14th minute lead when Tommaso Rocchi neatly slotted home after latching onto the end of 40-yard through ball from teammate Cristian Ledesma.

Lazio had the better of the chances in the first half and felt that they deserved a penalty after Rocchi’s surge into the area was halted by Nicolas Burdisso’s challenge.

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri made two half time changes to help force a way back into the game, but only one minute after the break Lazio were awarded a penalty.

Lazio’s Aleksander Kolarov brought down Marco Cassetti inside the box, but Sergio Floccari couldn’t take advantage, striking his shot straight at Roma keeper Julio Sergio.

Roma were then award a 53rd minute penalty themselves following a clumsy challenge from Kolarov on Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei.

Mirko Vucinic made no mistake from the spot and Roma looked resurgent as the mounted a string of attacks on the Lazio goal.

Vucinic soon made it two as he unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard free-kick towards the Roma net, leaving Fernando Muslera stranded.

Lazio pressed for an equaliser through efforts by Mauro Zarate and Rocchi, but couldn’t beat Julio Sergio in the Roma goal.

The home side then had Cristian Ledesma sent off in the final moments of a frustrating evening for Lazio, who now sit 16th in the table – just three points above the relegation zone.

Related posts:

1. Juventus Continue To Plummet After Defeat To Roma
2. Eternal City Derby Too Close To Call
3. Lazio Continue Worrying Slide Down Serie A Table