Inter Milan will aim to clinch an eighth consecutive victory in Serie A when it takes on Lazio at the San Siro on Sunday. Can the Nerazzurri get the job done?
Inter Milan vs. Lazio
Sunday, January 09, 2022 – 02:45 PM EST at Giuseppe Meazza
Inter sits top of the Serie A table with 14 wins, four draws and one defeat from 19 games so far this season. That sole defeat came against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in October, so the Nerazzurri will be out for revenge.
It was also a tough defeat for Inter manager Simone Inzaghi, as he left Lazio to take charge at Inter in the summer. He knows the Lazio team well, and he should be able to craft a tactical plan to negate its strengths.
Inter Is Fresh for This Game
Inter embarked on a run of seven straight wins before the winter break in Serie A. That saw it climb above its rivals and seize the top spot in the league. It has a better record than it did last season, when it won the title by a comfortable margin, so the top sportsbooks have made it the heavy favorite to lift the Scudetto at the end of the season.
The Nerazzurri were supposed to return to action against Bologna on Thursday. However, their opponents did not show up for the game due to a Covid-19 outbreak. The local health authority forced Bologna’s players into quarantine, so they could not take part.
Yet Serie A refused to call off the game, so Inter’s players had to go out on the pitch, go through their pre-game drills and then leave. They will be awarded a 3-0 win for the game, barring an appeal from Bologna. It was a farce, but it means Inter will be fresh for this match.
Lazio’s Defense Falls Apart
Lazio drew 3-3 at home against Empoli on Thursday. It looked as dangerous as ever in attack, but its defense has continually proved to be the weak link this season.
It has now conceded 37 goals in just 20 games. Only four teams have a worse defensive record, and they occupy the bottom four places in the table.
Lazio is in eighth place, which is down to its superb attack. Only Inter and AC Milan have scored more goals than Lazio this season, with Ciro Immobile, Sergej Milinković-Savić and Felipe Anderson all playing very well.
Team News
Hakan Çalhanoğlu is suspended for Inter and striker Edin Džeko has Covid-19. However, the Nerazzurri should still have plenty of thrust, pace and creativity in attack thanks to Lautaro Martínez, Alexis Sánchez and Joaquin Correa.
There are no other notable injury concerns for Inzaghi. His players are well-rested, and they should be fired up for this game.
Lazio is missing defender Francesco Acerbi, who has a hamstring injury, while Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro has gone to the Africa Cup of Nations to represent the Ivory Coast. The club has no Covid-19 cases and no other injury concerns.
Lazio has lost five out of 10 away games so far this season. It has conceded 21 goals in that time. Inter has the best home record in the league, with seven wins, two draws and no defeats so far.
It has scored 25 goals at home and conceded only six. Inzaghi’s men should beat his former team on Sunday and the right soccer pick in this match.
Betting Picks
Serie A Pick: Inter to Win ML (-235) at DraftKings Sportsbook
Serie A Pick: Inter -1.25 Asian Handicap (-109) at BetRivers
Serie A Pick: Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 goals (+100) at Bet365
