Serie A: Lazio to Put Perfect Inter to the Test

Inter Milan vs Lazio

Inter Milan are still perfect in the young Serie A season after a convincing 2-0 win over AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.

It’s still early in the season, but the Nerazzurri are looking like legitimate championship contenders under new manager Antonio Conte. Their defence has been outstanding, while their newcomers have impressed in attack.

But the tests are soon about to get tougher for Inter, beginning with the visit of Lazio to the San Siro. The Biancocelesti have had an inconsistent start to their season, but as the Serie A betting odds bear out, they possess the talent to give the Serie A leaders some problems.

Talking Points

Inter in imperious form

There were some concerns about Inter heading into the Milan derby following their unconvincing performance in their 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague in the Champions League. But they quickly put those to bed with their tremendous showing against Milan.

Their defence once again shone as they completely shut down the Milan attack, which had only one shot on target all match.

Similar to his stops at Juventus and Chelsea, Conte has instantly transformed the Inter defence into arguably the best in the league. They have conceded just one goal thus far through their first four games.

Their attack is still a bit of a work in progress, but it’s getting the job done. Marquee signing Romelu Lukaku has already been making Serie A 2019 highlights, bagging three goals in his first four Serie A matches.

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The team’s two other big summer signings — midfielders Stefano Sensi and Nicolo Barella — are also contributing. Both registered an assist in the win against Milan and have also combined for three goals this season.

With the games coming thick and fast for Inter — the Lazio match will be their fourth in 11 days — Conte could begin to make some changes to his side. But the Inter manager has a deep enough squad as well as the ability to set up his side perfectly.

Lazio looking for consistency

It’s been a rough start to the season for Lazio. After winning their opening match against Sampdoria 3-0, they failed to win their next three matches in a row.

But they finally got back on track as they topped Parma 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Goals from Ciro Immobile and Adam Marusic were enough to give them the comfortable win.

The win snapped their three-match winless run, which included a draw against Roma in the Rome derby and back-to-back away defeats at SPAL in the league and Cluj in the Europa League.

Immobile has been in impressive form to start the season. The Italian international striker has now scored four goals through the first four Serie A matches, putting him second behind Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi for the league lead.

Can Ciro Immobile help Lazio defeat Serie A leaders Inter Milan? — Ciro Immobile strikes the ball during the Serie A match between Lazio and AS Roma

But Immobile is far from Lazio’s only attacking threat. Strike partner Joaquin Correa has been averaging a healthy 3.8 shots per game thus far this season.

Meanwhile, midfielders Luis Alberto and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also begun the season strong. Alberto already has a goal and three assists through four matches.

Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi prefers to play a similar 3-5-2 formation that Conte’s Inter usually line up in. That should be a big help for them in terms of matching up against Inter.

History

It’s been a relatively even between Inter and Lazio in recent league meetings. Out of their last 10 matchups, Inter have won five times, Lazio have won three, while there have been two draws.

Curiously, though, this matchup has not favoured the home side. The last four winners of this matchup have been the away side. Inter won at the Stadio Olimpico three times before Lazio returned the favour at the San Siro last year through a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic goal.

Betting Tip

	Inter Milan vs Lazio	Draw 1X2 @ 3.45
	September 26, 03:00 (GMT+8)

SBOBET odds have Inter at 2.04 to win on the 1X2 market, with Lazio at 3.50 and a draw at 3.40.

Clearly, Inter have been the most impressive side in Serie A thus far and fully deserve to be on top. But their 100 per cent run isn’t going to last forever. At some point, they will slip up, and I predict it’ll be against Lazio.

I foresee Lazio’s 3-5-2 formation causing Conte’s side a few problems. And with Immobile in fine form, Lazio do have the firepower to get a goal past the stingy Inter defence.