2/16/20 2:45 pm
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Lazio is hosting Inter at Stadio Olimpico in Rome in a derby match of round 24 of Italian Serie A.
Before the season started, nobody expected Lazio to be in the race for the title, yet here they are. Lazio has lost only 2 games in Serie A this season and is now in 3rd place with 53 points, only 1 point away from Juventus and Inter. Inter is playing fantastic soccer both on the defensive and offensive end and is one of the best attacking teams in Serie A with massive 53 scored goals. Ciro Immobile has scored 25 goals for Lazio in Serie A this season and is the leading goal scorer in Lazio, Serie A, and in Europe overall. Caicedo added 8 goals for Lazio, while Luis Alberto added 10 assists. In their last Serie A match against Parma away from home last week, Lazio was solid with 54% of ball possession, 5 shots on goal, 6 corner kicks, and 85% of the correct passes. This was rough and hard games with a lot of fouls from both sides, but Lazio was able to score a goal close to the half-time and has won this match 0-1. Senad Lulic is the only injured player and coach Inzaghi will not have him at his disposal. I was giving the advantage to Inter to win the title this year, but I’m not so sure anymore. Lazio is not playing in any other competitions except Serie A this season, which will give them the rest advantage over Juventus and Inter who are both playing in Europe. If Lazio will be able to maintain this fantastic goal scoring run, and reduce the lost games to the bare minimum, Lazio just might win the title.
Inter has been playing well for most of this season, but despite that Inter wasn’t able to beat Napoli in Coppa Italia earlier this week. Inter is at the top of Serie A at the moment with 54 points, 48 scored goal, and 20 conceded goals. Even though Inter’s offense has been impressive, their defense is what has kept Inter ahead of Juventus and other teams for most of the season. Inter has conceded only 20 goals so far this season. In their last Serie A match in Derby della Madonnina against Milan last week, Inter had 43% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 7 corner kicks, and 81% of the correct passes. The first half was a disaster for Inter and they were losing 0-2 at the half-time. From the beginning of the second half, it was like a different team came out of the locker room. Inter was dominant, patient, and constantly pressuring Milan. Inter has scored 4 goals in the second half and has won this match 4-2. Lukaku has been playing amazing soccer since he was signed by Inter last summer and has scored 17 goals for Inter so far this season, while his partner in crime, Martinez has added 11 goals, and more importantly, his suspension is over and he will be in the lineup for this game. Gagliardini is the only injured player and he will not be available to coach Conte. Oh, man is Inter playing well this season, and as I mentioned before, biggest thanks for this is going to coach Conte who created this team almost out of nothing. Inter has a solid defense, a midfield that is one of the best in Europe, and an explosive attack that can score multiple goals to any team in the world. Serie A is finally interesting, and 3 teams are competing for the title, and I have a feeling this will be a tight race until the end.
Lazio’s home record this season is 9-3-0, while Inter is 9-2-0 away from home. Both Lazio and Inter are playing fantastic soccer, and I do believe there will be a lot of goals here. I think this game will end up in a draw.
Goran’s Pick Draw and over 2.5 goals +900
AUTHOR: Goran Kucar
Follow Goran Kucar on Twitter @GoranKucar