Inter Milan play host to Lazio on Sunday evening looking for the win that will ensure that they head into the November international break sitting in the top two of the Serie A table.
The 3-1 defeat at leaders Napoli is currently proving pivotal, but Inter have won each of their five matches either side of that setback.
However, Lazio make the trip to San Siro having avoided defeat in their last six games and trail their hosts by just the six points, highlighting that there is a window of opportunity for the visitors to move into top-four contention.
How the bookies see it: Lazio priced far too big
While Lazio are on a lengthy unbeaten run in domestic fixtures, BOYLE Sports has priced them at 13/2 to pull off a shock win at San Siro.
Inter are as short as 1/3, an unbackable price considering their struggles in a 2-1 win over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League in midweek.
The draw on offer at 7/2 could attract attention.
Head to head: Inter win half of Lazio encounters
Although Lazio have had their experiences of success against Inter Milan over the years, they have also lost 28 of the last 53 matches.
As many as seven fixtures have passed by without Lazio prevailing, Inter posting five victories and two draws since the beginning of 2023.
However, the two draws in question have taken place at San Siro, including the last head-to-head between the clubs in May.
Players to watch: Martinez to find Serie A form?
Lautaro Martinez may have only scored three times from 10 Serie A appearances this season, but his form in the Champions League needs to be taken into account.
The Argentina international has four strikes from three outings in that competition, and will be backed to build on that form against Lazio.
From Lazio's perspective, they have netted just three goals in their last four matches, with Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni their leading marksmen with three goals apiece.
However, in the absence of Cancellieri, it was Zaccagni who netted Lazio's latest goal in the 2-0 win over Cagliari.
Probable lineups:
Cristian Chivu is expected to rotate his Inter XI for this contest having made an array of changes for the Kairat Almaty fixture.
Manuel Akanji and Hakan Calhanoglou are among those who should return to the team, but Marcus Thuram may have to make do with a spot on the substitutes' bench despite building up his fitness after injury.
With Cancellieri still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Maurizio Sarri's attack for this game may name itself.
There remains doubt over the participation of Alessio Romagnoli, whose half-time withdrawal last time out was described as precautionary by Sarri.
Nevertheless, reports have emerged that the experienced centre-back may still be rested for this game with Oliver Provstgaard taking his place.
Inter Milan: Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglou, Sucic, Dimarco; Bonny, Martinez
Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Provstgaard, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni
Anything else catch the eye?
Inter Milan, with 24 strikes, have scored at least eight more goals than any other team in Serie A.
However, Lazio have kept four clean sheets in a row since shipping three of the seven goals that they have conceded this season in a 3-3 draw with Torino.
On the flip side, Inter have scored in each of their 14 matches in all competitions during 2025-26.
Calhanoglu is Inter's top goalscorer in Serie A with five strikes, less than a quarter of their overall total with 11 different players getting on the scoresheet.
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