Inter likely to pile more misery on Lazio in Betfair's Live Video offering

European Leagues / Dan Fitch / 09 November 2007 / Leave a Comment

Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch previews under-pressure Lazio's trip to the San Siro

If Juventus were the high profile losers of the Italian match fixing scandal, then Inter were the undoubted winners. Like the school swots who used to sit at the back of the class, Roberto Mancini's men must have been barely able to suppress their collective giggles, as their rivals' punishment was dished out. When the smirks had finally faded, Inter set about buying up the few world class players they needed to transform themselves from perennial runners up to actual winners. But whilst the scandal was all good for Inter, it proved less favourable for Lazio. Indeed, the match fixing kafuffle is still causing repercussions for the Rome club.

Things started pretty badly for Lazio, after it was revealed that they were one of the clubs that were up to no good. The Italian authorities hit down hard, relegating them to Serie B and deducting 7 points for the forthcoming season. Then, when Lazio's bottom lip started wobbling and it looked like they might start to cry, the punishment was reduced to staying in Serie A, but having 11 points docked. Realising that when it came to being suckers for a sob story, the Italian FA were on a par with the audience for the X-Factor, Lazio turned on the waterworks some more. The result? They started the season with just 3 points deducted and the avuncular old men of the FA, sent Lazio off with a pat on the head and told them to keep out of mischief.

So with a punishment that was really more of an inconvenience than an actual handicap, Lazio were off and running. As if they hadn't already got off lightly, they found themselves in a division without Juventus and with Milan and Fiorentina conceding large points handicaps. Lazio took full advantage of the situation to finish 3rd (though both Milan and Fiorentina would have finished higher than them on a level playing surface).

But whilst a first look might make you think that the scandal had actually benefited Lazio, it looks like last season's success may come back to haunt them. Long gone are the days when Lazio boasted financial muscle and in recent seasons they have reduced the quality of their squad and their expectations accordingly. Having qualified for the Champions League, they now look like a side in danger of not being able to cope with the fixture pile up.

Lazio lost at home last Saturday to Fiorentina, to slump to 15th in Serie A and just 1 point safe from the relegation zone. The fixtures get no kinder this Sunday, when they travel to unbeaten Inter. In fairness to Lazio, they have had a tough start to the season and things may start to pick up for them in the run up to the mid-winter break (after Inter have probably handed out a thrashing). As well as Fiorentina, Lazio have already faced Juventus, Udinese and AC Milan, the latter of whom, beat Lazio 5-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Both sides go into the fixture having won their Champions League games in midweek. Lazio took their first 3 points of the group stage, with a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen and can be backed at (2.02) to qualify for the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Inter made hard work of a home tie with Sporting Lisbon, going 2-0 down, before 2 goals each from Cambiasso and Ibrahimovic, saw them turn things round.

Inter are just (1.36) to heap more misery on Lazio, with the draw at (5) and the away side (13.5). Though Inter's price may seem a little short, it's difficult to see them not getting a win. Even though they remain unbeaten, Fiorentina are just 2 points behind them in 2nd place, so a victory is badly needed. This desire should be enough for them to see off Lazio. The only hope for the Romans is that Inter surely have to slip up eventually. Won't they?