The only two Serie A sides with 12 points after the opening four rounds lock horns at the Olimpico this weekend as Roma take on Inter in a high-stakes clash. Saturday’s top-table six-pointer could provide an early insight into the home team’s Scudetto credentials after a superb start to the season.
Roma could not have imagined a better way to open their second season under Gian Piero Gasperini, as they’ve won all four league matches by an aggregate score of 12-1. Goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolo Pisilli on either side of halftime inspired the GIallorossi to a 2-0 win at Torino on Monday, helping them bounce back from a 1-1 draw at Fenerbahce in their curtain-raising Europa League fixture.
Buoyed by one of the best Serie A starts in the club’s recent history, Roma will be out to avenge an embarrassing 5-2 defeat in their last meeting with Inter. However, that could prove easier said than done. Cristian Chivu’s men have enjoyed a perfect start to their Scudetto defense despite facing a two-goal deficit in their last two league outings.
Inter demonstrated their remarkable fighting spirit by coming from behind to beat Napoli 3-2 at Giuseppe Meazza before humbling Udinese 5-3 after being 2-0 down. Seeking another statement league victory, the Nerazzurri will take this trip in high spirits, having dominated this match-up recently.
Match Preview
Roma
With only two wins from their last 16 encounters against Inter (D6, L10), Roma will have to defy a daunting historical trend if they’re to enter the international break as Serie A pacesetters. Furthermore, the Giallorossi have lost their last five league clashes against this opposition as hosts, failing to get on the scoresheet four times in that sequence.
Against this backdrop, Gasperini’s men have been too hot to handle in front of goal this term. They’re the only Serie A team to have scored at least two goals in each of the first four rounds, extending their remarkable winning streak in the division to 11 games, including the tail-end of last season. In fact, they’re the second-highest scorers in Italy’s top flight after four matchdays.
Roma are also unbeaten in their last 14 home league matches (W11, D3) and boast one of the best defensive records in Europe’s top-five leagues this season. Only Arsenal and Freiburg have conceded as few goals as the Giallorossi (1) so far, suggesting Inter’s free-firing frontline could face a stern test on Saturday.
Inter
After netting a league-high 89 goals en route to their 21st Scudetto last season, Inter have continued in the same vein this term. Chivu’s charges top Serie A’s scoring charts with 13 goals despite finding the net just once in a narrow win over Cagliari on their only league trip in 2026/27. It’s also worth noting that the Nerazzurri lost 2-1 at Real Madrid in their opening Champions League fixture.
However, Inter can take confidence from their stellar domestic run. They have suffered just one defeat across their last 30 Serie A games (W23, D6), highlighting their unparalleled consistency. Still, there’s no room for complacency, especially considering their recent woes on the road.
In addition to conceding five goals across their last two league matches, the reigning champions have let in at least two goals in three of their last five Serie A road games (W3, D2). As such, another high-scoring contest could be on the cards. That’s been a common theme in Inter’s clashes against Roma, with no other Serie A fixture producing more goals than this one (540).
Team News
With Wesley Franca and Evan Ndicka resuming full training earlier this week, Gasperini will have his entire squad at his disposal on Saturday. Inter’s reported target, Manu Kone, who made a cameo appearance off the bench in Turin, could return to the starting lineup at the expense of Pisilli. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule are expected to start behind Serie A’s top scorer, Malen.
As for Inter, standout midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu remains on the sidelines with an adductor strain. Summer signing John Stones is also unavailable due to a thigh injury, with Chivu expected to start with Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Alessandro Bastoni as his defensive trio. After two impressive performances against Napoli and Udinese, Marcus Thuram could make his first Serie A start this season.
Roma vs Inter Potential Starting Lineups
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Balerdi, Ndicka; Molina, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Malen.
Inter (3-5-2): J. Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martinez.
Roma vs Inter Prediction
Although this fixture has been one-sided of late, it’s impossible to write Roma off before kickoff. The Giallorossi have been nothing short of outstanding in the early stages of the season and could flip the script tomorrow.
It’s been nearly ten years since they last beat Inter at the Olimpico, and this could be their moment.
Prediction: Roma to Win
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The post Serie A Preview: Roma vs Inter – Team News, Lineups & Prediction appeared first on The Cult of Calcio.
