Inter Milan vs Lazio preview - Big chance for Lazio

The stakes are high for Lazio and Inter Milan ahead of their showdown at the San Siro.

Two wins on the trot have lifted Champions League-chasing Lazio to fourth in the standings, just three points behind third-placed Inter with five games remaining.

The top four teams in Serie A qualify for Europe's elite club competition.

"The game in Milan is crucial for us," said Lazio coach Edy Reja.

"It's a head-to-head encounter in view of Champions League qualification. We need to beat Inter."

Reja has recovered midfielder Christian Brocchi, who missed last weekend's 4-1 triumph at Catania through injury.

However, defender Stefan Radu is out for the remainder of the season with a back problem and midfielder Francelino Matuzalem is suspended.

Inter's title hopes have faded this month after two defeats in their last three league games, including last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Parma, and they cannot afford to drop any more points with Udinese just four points behind them in fifth place.

They trail eight points behind league leaders AC Milan.

The Nerazzurri beat Roma 1-0 in Tuesday's first leg semi-final of the Coppa Italia at the Stadio Olimpico.

"It was important to halt the negative run of results and we did that at Roma," Inter coach Leonardo said.

"It wasn't easy, especially after our Champions League elimination.

"But against Roma we showed maturity and we took an important result, something that is not easy to do in Rome.

"Now we must continue to win.

"We still have five league games and the Coppa Italia and we need to remain lucid and calm."

Inter welcome back striker Samuel Eto'o, who has recovered from an ankle injury.