Italy - Serie A
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Played
January 20, 2013 7:45 PM GMT
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee:‬ D. Orsato‎
Attendance:‬ 37000‎
 
22′ (PG) Francesco Totti
Rodrigo Palacio 45+1′

Roma-Inter Preview: High stakes at Stadio Olimpico

The pair go into the clash desperate for victory to serve their own respective interests, as the Giallorossi cling on to a top-six spot and Andrea Stramaccioni's men chase Juventus

By Alec Fenn

More On :  Italy, Roma, Roma vs FC Internazionale
Inter celebrating (Getty Images)
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  PROBABLE LINEUPS

ROMA

Juventus
Goicoechea
Piris, Marquinhos, Castan, Balzaretti
Pjanic, De Rossi, Florenzi
Lamela, Destro, Totti
INTER


 Handanovic
Ranocchia, Chivu, Juan Jesus
Zanetti, Guarin, Gargano, C'biasso, Pereira
Rocchi, Palacio

Just a matter of weeks into 2013 and Inter head into Sunday's clash in the knowledge they cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to keep pace with Serie A leaders Juventus.

Seven points separate fourth-placed Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri, while Roma lie just six adrift of Andrea Stramaccioni's side as they bid to cement their place in the top-six.

Both sides secured their place in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia in midweek - the Giallorossi grinding out a 1-0 win over Fiorentina, while Inter needed extra time to see off Bologna - meaning they will also face one another three days later in the first leg.

The hosts will be without Pablo Osvaldo, Maarten Stekelenburg and Alessio Romagnoli through injury, while the visitors have a lengthy injury list to contend with, as Dejan Stankovic, Luca Castellazzi, Yuto Nagatomo, Ricky Alvarez, Walter Samuel, Antonio Cassano and Coutinho all miss out.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Inter have endured an inconsistent start to 2013, losing to Udinese, beating Pescara and scraping past Bologna in the Coppa Italia.
  • Andrea Stramaccioni's side have been hampered by an extensive injury list that sees seven first team players absent through injury - including Antonio Cassano (right).
  • Inter and Roma will face one another in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia in midweek.
  • Roma currently sit in sixth spot in Serie A, six points behind Inter but just a point in front of seventh-placed AC Milan.
  • Erik Lamela and Pablo Osvaldo are the club's two joint-top goalscorers, both having struck 10 times.
  • Zdenek Zeman's side are the top scorers in Serie A with 43 goals, but they have also conceded 34 times.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Roma 1-2 FC Internazionale
    14.49 %
  • Roma 1-3 FC Internazionale
    10.01 %
  • Roma 0-2 FC Internazionale
    7.47 %
Head to Head
Italy - Coppa Italia ‎(ITAC)‎ Apr 17, 2013 FC Internazionale 2 - Roma 3
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Italy - Coppa Italia ‎(ITAC)‎ Jan 23, 2013 Roma 2 - FC Internazionale 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Jan 20, 2013 Roma 1 - FC Internazionale 1
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Sep 2, 2012 FC Internazionale 1 - Roma 3
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Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎ Feb 5, 2012 Roma 4 - FC Internazionale 0
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Last Five Matches
Roma
May 19, 2013Roma 2 - SSC Napoli 1ITA1
May 12, 2013AC Milan 0 - Roma 0ITA1
May 7, 2013Roma 0 - Chievo 1ITA1
May 4, 2013Fiorentina 0 - Roma 1ITA1
Apr 28, 2013Roma 4 - Siena 0ITA1
FC Internazionale
May 19, 2013FC Internazionale 2 - Udinese 5ITA1
May 12, 2013Genoa 0 - FC Internazionale 0ITA1
May 8, 2013FC Internazionale 1 - Lazio 3ITA1
May 5, 2013SSC Napoli 3 - FC Internazionale 1ITA1
Apr 28, 2013Palermo 1 - FC Internazionale 0ITA1
Odds
Returns: Roma £110.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £40.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Inter £210.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
13Mauro GoicoecheaGoalkeeper
3MarquinhosDefender
5Leandro CastánDefender
23Iván Rodrigo PirisDefender
42Federico BalzarettiDefender
4Michael BradleyMidfielder
16Daniele De RossiMidfielder
48Alessandro FlorenziMidfielder
8Erik LamelaMidfielder
9Pablo Daniel OsvaldoStriker
10Francesco TottiStriker
1Bogdan LobonţGoalkeeper
24Maarten StekelenburgGoalkeeper
27DodôDefender
29Nicolas Andres BurdissoDefender
7MarquinhoMidfielder
11TaddeiMidfielder
15Miralem PjanicMidfielder
20Simone PerrottaMidfielder
77Panagiotis TachtsidisMidfielder
22Mattia DestroStriker
1Samir HandanoviçGoalkeeper
4Javier Adelmar ZanettiDefender
23Andrea RanocchiaDefender
26Cristian ChivuDefender
11Alvaro PereiraMidfielder
40JuanDefender
55Yuto NagatomoDefender
14Fredy GuarínMidfielder
5Walter GarganoMidfielder
8Rodrigo PalacioStriker
-Marko LivajaStriker
27Vid BelecGoalkeeper
91Raffaele Di GennaroGoalkeeper
6Matías SilvestreDefender
42JonathanDefender
16Gaby MudingayiMidfielder
17M. MarigaMidfielder
19Esteban Matias CambiassoMidfielder
20ObiMidfielder
24Marco BenassiMidfielder
-A. DuncanMidfielder
-Daniel BessaMidfielder
9Tommaso RocchiStriker
Players to Watch
Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
35 12 7 1
Who says you cannot teach an old dog - or a footballer of maturing years - new tricks? The 36-year-old Totti remains as much a driving force at the Olimpico as he has ever been and his experience could be key to unlocking the Inter defence on Sunday.
Javier Adelmar Zanetti
Javier Adelmar Zanetti
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 4
Games Goals YC RC
33 0 1 0
While the hosts will hope Francesco Totti turns back the clock and produces some of his timeless magic, Inter have a dependable veteran of their very own. The 39-year-old has been excellent of late, often operating in central midfield, and he will be relishing another battle in the middle of the park.
Prediction
Both sides love to score goals and with a draw no good to either team. Expect an entertaining affair and two very busy goalkeepers.
Editor's Prediction
Roma 2
Inter 2
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli 		29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese 		23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma 		16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Midfielder
Milan 		16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta 		15 5