Locked together in a fascinating Serie A title race, Lazio and Inter Milan will square off in Monday's showdown at Stadio Olimpico.

Continuing a superb surge of form, Lazio have been busy progressing their quest for some silverware over the past couple of weeks - beating Napoli in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia before extending an undefeated streak in the Europa League.

Just a few days after eliminating them from the cup in Rome, Marco Baroni's men knocked the former league leaders off their perch by winning 1-0 at Stadio Maradona and moving to within three points of first place.

Then, the Aquile flew to Amsterdam for a midweek clash with Ajax, in which evergreen winger Pedro played a central role, scoring the third goal as his side secured an impressive 3-1 success.

Having kept a grip on top spot and almost certainly booked their place in the Europa League's last 16, Lazio can reflect on two significant away wins.

While they have sometimes come up short on the road, the capital club are imperious at Stadio Olimpico, dropping only two Serie A points there this season: another home victory on Monday would see them reach 34 points after 16 matches for just the second time this century.

However, Lazio have won just two of their last eight league meetings with Inter, who have held the upper hand since spiriting away the Biancocelesti's once beloved former boss.

Once again, Simone Inzaghi will return to his old club, who he first played for and then managed a club-record 197 times in Serie A between 2016 and 2021, recording 108 wins in the process.

Inter's highly-rated head coach is unbeaten in his last four games against Lazio - having lost two of the first three after leaving - and putting all friendships aside, he will be intent on continuing that trend.

Since claiming their 20th Scudetto last season, the Nerazzurri have lost just twice in 20 matches this term, and they are alongside Lazio in an enthralling race for first place.

Last week's 3-1 victory over Parma means that Inter have scored three or more times in half of their 14 league fixtures; that has also helped their annual away-goal tally up to 41 throughout 2024 - only five shy of the club's all-time best.

Furthermore, with another success at Stadio Olimpico, they would also equal their record for away victories in a calendar year, which stands at 13 - recorded in 2007 and again three years ago.

Though their unbeaten streak in Serie A has now reached nine matches, Inzaghi saw his side suffer a rare setback in midweek, when they lost out in a battle between the German and Italian league champions.

Despite losing to a last-minute goal against Bayer Leverkusen - and surrendering their status as the only team yet to concede - Inter are still on course to reach the Champions League's last 16, as one of six teams sitting just behind the top two.

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