European Football Betting: Weekend Serie A preview

The title race is starting to get interesting in Italy again as Inter Milan's once unstoppable procession towards a third consecutive title has begun to zig-zag drunkenly from side to side - and threatens to collapse in a heap in the nearest ditch. Last weekend the Nerazzurri were beaten by Juventus while Roma overcame Empoli to reduce the gap at the top to four points. This Saturday Inter travel to in-form Lazio hoping to seal what would be only their third win in ten matches. Quite how Inter have squandered their commanding lead is anyone's guess but coach Roberto Mancini has to shoulder most of the blame after throwing his toys out of the pram and declaring he would be leaving at the end of the season after his side lost to Liverpool in the Champions League - only to change his mind the next day. Effectively, he is a lame duck and almost certain to be replaced by Jose Mourinho in the summer, but in the meantime he must conjure performances out of a listless medley of pampered superstars, most of whom have fallen out with Mancini. To make matters worse, this weekend star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is doubtful with a knee injury. Not the best time then to be facing a Lazio outfit who have returned to form in recent matches, even beating Roma last week. The fact that they lost to Fiorentina last weekend and that victory on Saturday would mean doing their hated rivals a favour suggests that this match will end in a draw. It's worth noting that there is always a proliferation of draws between Italian sides around this time of year so go with the 11/5. Inter will probably settle for one right now. You would think that with Inter self-combusting Roma, who also play on Saturday night, would be ready to capitalise, particularly as they are playing lowly Cagliari. Alas football is never that straightforward. Like Inter, Roma too may well be without their star striker as Francesco Totti, who is also struggling with knee knack. With Manchester United visiting in the Champions League next week the Giallorossi are unlikely to risk their top scorer in Sardinia. Furthermore, this is not the best time to be playing the islanders, who have been buoyed by this week's reversal of a decision by the Italian FA to dock them three points. With their relegation fight boosted by the courts, Cagliari haven't been too shabby on the pitch of late either, where they are unbeaten at home in six matches. At 3.6 with Betfair Cagliari are well-priced to beat a Roma side who have half an eye on avenging recent defeats to United and a reputation for blowing up in the league but remember this is draw season. Verdict: 1pt Inter draw @ 43/20 (Centrebet); 2pts Roma draw @ 43/20 (Centrebet)