Roberto Mancini can revive Inter Milan’s season against Roma
Clashes between Italian giants Roma and Inter Milan are always feisty affairs, and the return of Roberto Mancini to the Nerazzurri hotseat adds an extra dimension to this duel.
Inter, 7/2 to win with Coral, have been unable to defeat the Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico in their last nine Serie A visits. However, during his previous stint at the San Siro, Mancini seems to have had the rub of the green on his trips to the Eternal City.
Under his previous stewardship the Nerazzurri, who were a much stronger outfit back then, were never defeated in a league clash in Rome.
Fans will be hoping former Manchester City coach Mancini will be their lucky charm against Francesco Totti and co once more, as they prepare for this intriguing clash in the capital.
After two positive results in the first games of Mancini’s second spell, including a Milan derby draw and a hard-fought Europa League victory against Dnipro, Inter should travel to Rome with the wind in their sails.
Southampton loanee Pablo Osvaldo (13/5 to net anytime) and Serbia anchorman Zdravko Kuzmanovic were both on target last time out, and will have their sights set on securing a regular starting spot under their new coach.
Up-and-coming Argentine striking whizz Mauro Icardi is still the visitors’ top scorer with seven in Serie A, making him 13/2 to fire home first.
In a fitness boost for Mancini’s men, Croatia midfield schemer Mateo Kovacic, full back Danilo D’Ambrosio and French bad boy Yann M’Vila should all be available for selection again.
However, the Nerazzurri’s midweek European adventure may have cost them the services of Brazil World Cup flop Hernanes and Japan star Yuto Nagatomo.
All the onus will be hosts Roma, who are chasing Italian top-flight leaders and Scudetto holders Juventus, to preserve their 100 per cent league record at the Stadio Olympico.
Rudi Garcia’s Eternal City outfit are odds-on at 4/5 to retain their perfect Serie A streak on home turf this term, and will feel confident of scalping an Inter side that have failed to win their last three domestic outings.
The Giallorossi will have noted their Milanese rivals struggled defensively against Dnipro, and had to rely on Slovenian stopper Samir Handanovic to make his sixth spot kick save of the season to secure victory.
Inter are expected to struggle against the Romans’ wealth of in-form attacking options, with evergreen skipper Totti, who netted twice against the Nerazzurri last term, leading the way, and he is 6/1 to bag a brace or better again.
Garcia’s impressive side will be aiming to cover their own rearguard frailties by fielding playmakers Miralem Pjanic and Adem Ljajic, whose creativity should provide the cutting edge and allow Roma to romp to victory.
Young Italy talent Mattia Destro, an apparent target for Arsenal, is unlikely to start but, after grabbing four Serie A strikes this term, is 9/2 to net last and make an impact off the bench against Inter.
The Nerazzurri will be hoping their hosts are suffering from a European hangover themselves, following the Giallorossi’s disappointment with CSKA Moscow grabbing a last-gasp draw.
It is likely that this has only galvanised the Romans, however, who are a fantastic 3/1 to score three or more against an Inter side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five outings across all competitions.
