Lazio vs Inter: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 09.05.2026
One of the clashes of Serie A's 36th round will unfold on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, where Lazio host Inter Milan. While there’s little left at stake in the league table for either side, this matchup serves as a dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia final—same city, same stadium, same opponent. Both teams will be keen to scout each other ahead of the big showdown.
Match preview
Lazio have found a surprising late-season surge: since early March, the Biancocelesti have picked up 17 points in Serie A, second only to Juventus over that span. Maurizio Sarri’s side have taken down Bologna 2-0, Milan 1-0, and Napoli 2-0, while also booking their place in the Coppa Italia final after a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Atalanta—thanks in large part to the outstanding form of Edoardo Motta.
With no pressure from the league standings, Lazio have paradoxically started playing with more freedom. Rovella could return to the starting XI for the first time since injury, Pellegrini may replace Tavares on the left, and Sarri is likely to keep some of his key weapons in reserve for the second half - with the Coppa Italia final against Inter looming as the real priority.
Inter have already clinched the Scudetto: after a 2-2 draw with Torino, Cristian Chivu’s men dispatched Parma and wrapped up the season’s biggest question. Now, the Coppa Italia is the only major objective left, making this trip to Rome more than just another league fixture - it’s a full-scale dress rehearsal for the final.
Chivu is expected to rotate his squad: Sommer, Bastoni, Barella, and Thuram could all start on the bench, with Lautaro Martínez and Ange-Yoann Bonny likely to lead the attack. Inter’s away form this spring has looked less than flawless - draws with Torino and Fiorentina, a loss to Milan, and a nervy 4-3 win over Como prove that the champions don’t always control proceedings away from San Siro with their usual cool efficiency.
Probable lineups
- Lazio: Motta, Pellegrini, Romagnoli, Provstgor, Marušić, Dele-Bashiru, Rovella, Taylor, Pedro, Maldini, Cancellieri.
- Inter: Josep Martinez, Akanji, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Dumfries, Sučić, Zieliński, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Lautaro Martínez, Bonny.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Inter have scored at least two goals against Lazio in seven of their last eight head-to-head meetings.
- At least three goals have been scored in seven of the last nine meetings between these sides at Lazio’s home in Serie A.
- Lazio are winless in their last eight matches against Inter: two draws and six defeats.
- One of Lazio’s most painful recent home defeats came at the hands of Inter—a 0-6 rout in Rome.
- Lazio have scored in 12 of their last 15 home meetings with Inter in Serie A.
- Lazio have taken at least as many corners as their opponent in seven of their last nine home matches against Inter in Serie A (five wins, two draws).
- At least four yellow cards have been shown in nine of the last eleven head-to-heads at Lazio’s home in Serie A.
Prediction
Lazio look far livelier than they did a few months ago: Sarri has managed to stabilize the squad despite some key absences, and the lack of league pressure has allowed the team to play with more freedom. But Inter remain a tough matchup for the hosts - the Nerazzurri have long known how to break down Lazio’s structure and consistently find space between the lines. With the title already secured, Inter are unlikely to go full throttle for the full 90 minutes. For Chivu, the priority is to test combinations, avoid overworking his stars, and see how Lazio approach the big final. Recent away performances suggest Inter could well allow Lazio to control stretches of the match this time.
