Inter Milan arrive at the Stadio Olimpico on May 9 as Serie A champions in all but name, sitting 12 points clear of second-place Napoli with just two games left. For Cristian Chivu’s side, this is a lap of honour with a competitive edge: locking down a final points tally and maintaining the momentum that has defined their season. For Lazio, sitting 8th with 51 points and nothing left to chase in the table, this is a chance to finish the campaign on a high in front of their own fans.
What’s at stake
Inter (82 points, 26 wins) have turned Serie A 2025-26 into a procession. The gap between them and second-placed Napoli (70 points) and third-placed AC Milan (67 points) means the title conversation is over. With two matches remaining, what Chivu’s squad is chasing now is a final statement: how many points can this team accumulate, and how clean can that defensive record look come the final whistle of the season? Inter have conceded just 31 goals in 35 league matches, one of the tightest records in Europe’s top flights this term.
Lazio sit 8th on 51 points, 13 wins and 12 draws from 35 outings. European spots are well out of reach at this stage of the calendar, and there is no relegation threat in sight. Maurizio Sarri’s men play for pride and preparation here, and a home win against the champions would be a meaningful way to close out their home schedule.
How they got here
Lazio’s last five competitive matches read W-D-D-W-L. They beat Cremonese 2-1 away on May 4, drew 3-3 at home with Udinese the week before, and drew 1-1 with Atalanta in the Coppa Italia. A 2-0 victory at Napoli on April 18 was their standout result of the run, but they were beaten 1-0 at Fiorentina on April 13. Inter’s form is sharper: W-D-W-W-W in their last five across all competitions. A 2-0 home win over Parma on May 3 was the most recent result, and prior to the 2-2 draw at Torino on April 26, they had rattled off wins over Como (4-3 away) and Cagliari (3-0 at home).
In the table, Inter stand alone at the summit on 82 points. Napoli are 12 back in second, AC Milan a further three behind in third. Lazio in 8th are 31 points adrift of the leaders, a number that tells the story of how dominant Inter have been across this campaign.
Key battle to watch
Lautaro Martinez (16 league goals) and Marcus Thuram (13 league goals) form the most productive striking partnership in the division, and they will test a Lazio defensive unit that has conceded 34 goals in 35 league matches. Sarri will need his backline to be organised and compact from the first whistle. If Lazio can keep it tight in the first half hour and use the ball intelligently in midfield, they have shown this season they can frustrate bigger opponents. Their 2-0 win at Napoli proved as much. The question is whether Inter, even without a title to chase, are disciplined enough to grind through a match they do not technically need to win.
Key Stats
Our Prediction
The head-to-head record is stark: Inter have won seven of the last ten meetings, including a 6-0 demolition at the Stadio Olimpico in December 2024. Even with rotation likely from Chivu’s side, the quality differential between these squads is substantial. Lazio have shown enough fight in recent weeks to make this uncomfortable, but Inter’s attacking firepower and defensive solidity make it difficult to see the hosts taking all three points. A narrow Inter win or a draw feels like the most honest reading of where both teams are right now.