Stefano Pioli faces his former club and is aiming for a fourth consecutive Inter victory, but Lazio sit in joint third for an unpredictable clash.


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The Nerazzurri enter off the back of a narrow 1-0 win to Sassuolo, and they will be hoping that a triumph over fourth-placed Lazio will put them in good stead for the turn of the New Year. In order to do so, however, they will have to sort out the rumoured feud that has struck the Pinetina outfit.

Since Pioli’s induction on the bench from Frank de Boer, his side has shown progressed in leaps and bounds, with just one defeat in their last five Serie A encounters. But the real trick is proving to be the dynamics off the field between Inter’s leading goalscorer Mauro Icardi and Stevan Jovetic.

A row is said to have developed in the camp between the two frontmen, with JoJo’s agent Fali Ramadani claiming that the Argentine was putting pressure on the Coach to exclude the Montenegrin from the side.

The feud has spiked rumours of a possible Jovetic exit in January, and it is likely that the 27-year-old will be left out of the match day squad again. Further absentees also include Felipe Melo, who was sent off during the match against Sassuolo, along with Joao Mario (suspension), Gary Medel and Andrea Ranocchia, who are both injured.

All these factors will certainly bode well for Simone Inzaghi’s side, as they come into the game with four wins and a defeat in their last five encounters, and, if all goes well, they could leapfrog both Roma and Napoli to second place.

It certainly can be done. So far this season, the Biancocelesti have outperformed themselves and have left many clubs in the hunt for a European berth on the edge of their seat.

Credit must be given to Inzaghi, though, as he has managed to turn around a team plagued with a number of off-field issues during the European summer transfer window, and has created a team who play for each other with passion and dedication.

Ciro Immobile has been at the heart of Lazio’s success this campaign, and he has given the club’s tifosi the ultimate Christmas gift by committing his near future to the club.


“I’m feeling good at Lazio and I don’t feel the need to change. I’m 26 years old and for me it’s a decisive period. I’ve decided to get the head down and work hard. The Coach has spoiled me since I came here. He really wanted me here and he’s put me at the centre of his plans,” revealed the former Dortmund striker.

This game, which will see Patric miss out for Lazio, will also signify a number of individual battles on the field. Antonio Candreva is set to face his former club, along with Pioli, who was dismissed of his position as Lazio Coach back in April.

Anything less than three points will be considered disappointing for both sides, as they have the opportunity to make up some shortfalls before all activities resume in the New Year.

Pioli has only ever defeated Lazio once as a Coach, losing four and drawing two. Meanwhile, Inzaghi’s only fixture against Inter as a manager ended in a 2-0 triumph for his side. Last season, Lazio emerged 2-1 winners with Pioli on the bench and Candreva bagging a brace – how things change.

Keep An Eye On: Antonio Candreva (Inter) – The wide player will turn up against Lazio for the first time since leaving them in the summer, and he will be eager to show them what they have missed. With two goals this season, Candreva has been one of the Nerazzurri’s better performers this season.

Form Guide: Inter (W W L D W) Lazio (W W L W W)

Last Season: Inter 1-2 Lazio

Stat Fact: Lazio have lost only one of their last four trips to San Siro, emerging with two victories and a 2-2 draw.

Betting Tip: Don’t bet on a draw as only one match out of the last 10 meetings, home and away, have ended in a stalemate.

Inter (probable): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo; Candreva, Brozovic, Kondogbia, Ansaldi; Eder, Perisic; Icardi

Suspensions: Melo, Joao Mario

Lazio (probable): Marchetti; Bastos, De Vrij, Radu, Lulic; Parolo, Biglia, Milinkovic-Savic; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Keita

Suspensions: None