After another high octane win against Benevento, Inter travel to Rome to face potential title contenders Lazio in a bid to make it three wins from three. Match tomorrow Sunday at 15:00CET.

Lazio have had a bit of a disappointing start to their season, after having comprehensively beaten Cagliary away in the season opener, they then capitulated at home to high-flying Atalanta. Worryingly for coach Simone Inzaghi, the Biancelesti managed to add Stefan Radu to an already long injury list.

Lazio’s downfall last season was the lack of depth in their squad, particularly post-lockdown when matches were played every three days.

Despite somewhat strengthening over the short summer, their long injury list along with an over dependence on Ciro Immobile, Luis Alberto and Sergei Milinkovic-Savic mean that the Romans might face an uphill battle against the visitors on Sunday.

What is certain is that Antonio Conte cannot have his side approach the match with the same defensive reckless abandon exhibited in the first two matches.

Injuries or not, Lazio possess a starting eleven that is head and shoulders stronger and more dangerous than both sides Inter have beaten so far.

Conte will most certainly start with Achraf Hakimi on the right flank seeing that the Moroccan wide-man wreaked havoc whenever he’s been on the pitch so far.

Question marks remain on who will accompany Nicolo Barella in the middle of the park, but signs seem to indicate that it will be Marcelo Brozovic and Stefano Sensi, a throwback to the midfield module that worked so well together at the start of last season.

There’s no doubt that Lazio are hurting and are there for the taking, but they still are a quality side that can trouble any side and so Conte must be very prudent and really think of balance when making his squad selection and tactical plan.

Team News

Once again, Inter manage to enter the manage an almost full squad, no injuries or suspensions to deal with.

Probable Line-up (3-4-1-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Barella, Brozovic, Young; Sensi; Lautaro, Lukaku

Stats

Last Season: Lazio 2 – 1 Inter.

Last 10 Head to Head: Inter hold a very slight edge over their hosts in the pair’s last ten matches. With five Inter wins to Lazio’s four, the record is very finely balanced.

Keep an Eye on:

Stefano Sensi: There’s no doubt that one of Conte’s most important issues to resolve will be who to play in the creative role behind the strikers.

Sensi, Inter’s pint-sized playmaker had a strong showing against Fiorentina when coming off the bench, but then had a bit of lackluster performance against Benevento. If Sensi wants to make the position his and keep Christian Eriksen on the bench, he must do better.

Officials

Referee: Marco Guida.

Assistants: Carbone and Longo.

Fourth Official: Massa.

VAR: Irrati and Vivenzi.

Prediction & Concluding Remarks

Prediction & scorers: Lazio 2 – 3 Inter Lukaku, Barella and Sanchez goals to clinch it for the visitors.

Concluding remarks: There is no doubt that Inter will play with a far less forward defensive line than in the previous two matches, but don’t expect their defensive woes to magically disappear.

All said, expect Inter’s battering ram of an attack to be enough to bring home the three points.