Inter Milan vs Roma

Inter Milan return home in Round 25 hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 25 matches when they host AS Roma at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. As Roma were able to inch closer to Inter over the weekend and now come into this contest with a chance to move to within 6 points of the top spot with a victory.

The neroazzurri played to a 1-1 draw in their week 24 match away to Sampdoria at Marassi. The draw leaves Roberto Mancini’s side in 1^st place of Serie A with 60 points on the season which are the product of an impressive 18 wins and 6 draws for the year. They hold a 9 point edge over 2^nd place Roma and appear well on their way to a 3^rd straight league title. With the squad currently going through a steady stretch of matches that have seen them play a match every 3 days, it is expected that there will be some turnover in the starting eleven this week. Look for Julio Cruz to get another day off with Zlatan Ibrahimovic joining. Argentine Hernan Crespo is expected to join David Suazo of Honduras in the attack. Colombian international Ivan Ramiro Cordoba is not expected to start either.

This contest will be AS Roma’s best chance this season to crack into Inter Milan’s big lead. A victory hear will seen them climb to 54 points and within just 6 of the top spot. However, there is a reason why Inter have yet to lose a match this season and it will take a superb effort from the giallorossi to pull it off. Last week the side managed by Nedo Spaletti were able to hold serve at home and defeat Fiorentina by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. It was their 4^th victory over their last 6 matches and was a great way to bounce back from the tough lost against Juventus 7 days earlier. There are two confirmed absences at this time for Roma in Curci and Mancini, while Cicinho is out suspended. The loss of Mancini may not be as painful however as Vucinic was superb against Fiorentina.

This contest is literally a final for Roma. If they win away to Inter they remove the air of invincibility from the squad currently in first place and reopen the title chance. If they draw or even lose, the contest might be over. Given how strong and disciplined Inter have looked this season, they appear to be good enough for a draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)