Serie A Preview: Roma vs Lazio – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Stadio Olimpico forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering Serie A clash between eternal rivals Roma and Lazio. Sunday’s showdown marks the 164th top-flight edition of the famous Derby della Capitale, with more than just bragging rights at stake.

Roma pulled off a breathtaking comeback to Parma at Stadio Ennio Tardini last weekend, netting in the 96th and 101st minute to pick up a precious 3-2 victory. As a result, Gian Piero Gasperini’s charges head into the penultimate round of fixtures level on points with fourth-placed Milan.

However, there’s no room for complacency if they’re to secure their first top-four finish since the 2017/18 season. Roma must hold up their end of the bargain here and complete their first league double over Lazio since 2015/16, following a narrow 1-0 win in the reverse fixture.

Driven by revenge, Lazio will be out to bounce back from a dismal 2-0 defeat at the hands of Inter in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final. The same opponent thrashed the Biancocelesti 3-0 in last weekend’s clash at the Olimpico, derailing their chances of securing European qualification for next season.

Instead, Maurizio Sarri’s men are now staring down the barrel of a first finish outside Serie A’s top eight since 2013/14. Trailing seventh-placed Atalanta by seven points, Lazio have nothing but pride left to play for, though they could still spoil Roma’s top-four ambitions.

Match Preview

Roma

Goals from Devyne Rensch and Donyell Malen in added time inspired Roma to a crucial win over Parma last time out, extending their unbeaten league streak to five games (W4, D1). Furthermore, they’ve now won three consecutive Serie A matches, as many as they had in their previous nine league outings (D3, L3).

Although they’re only nominal hosts in this blockbuster, Roma can draw further confidence from their remarkable 11-game unbeaten run at the Olimpico in Serie A (W8, D3). Defensive resilience has been crucial to Roma’s renaissance under Gasperini, with the Giallorossi keeping seven clean sheets in that sequence.

It’s also worth noting that Roma have finally found their scoring boots, netting at least two goals in five of their last six Serie A contests. Moreover, they’ve bagged six first-half goals across their five most recent home league matches, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start. That bodes well as they hope to build upon a solid run of three wins from the last four Derby della Capitale instalments (L1).

Lazio

While Lazio would very much like to hinder Roma’s top-four charge, they’ve stuttered in this fixture lately, suffering four defeats in the last five derbies as designated visitors (W1). As if that’s not ominous enough, they scored just one goal in that stretch, suggesting their scoring drought could extend beyond the weekend.

Yet, despite a thumping defeat to Inter last weekend, Lazio can take heart from the fact that they’ve suffered back-to-back league losses only once this term. In addition, they head into this round on the back of three consecutive away domestic victories, including a pair of high-profile wins over Atalanta and Napoli.

However, slow out of the blocks, Sarri’s underperforming side netted a pre-round league-low four first-half goals away from home this season, with only three of their 18 road fixtures seeing both teams score. On that basis, another low-scoring affair could be in store, even though this match has all the makings of a dead rubber for nominal visitors.

Team News

Roma received a double fitness boost during midweek, as Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk both resumed full training. However, Evan Ferguson and Bryan Zaragoza remain in the pits, with Stephan El Shaarawy also at risk of missing this encounter due to an adductor injury.

On the other hand, Lazio are still without first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, meaning Edoardo Motta is likely to start between the sticks once again. Meanwhile, veteran center-back Alessio Romagnoli must serve a suspension after picking up a red card against Inter.

Roma vs Lazio Potential Starting Lineups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Kone, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Malen.

Lazio (4-3-3): Motta; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Pellegrini; Basic, Rovella, Taylor; Isaksen, Noslin, Zaccagni.

Roma vs Lazio Prediction

With momentum and recent history firmly on their side, Roma ought to take the field in a buoyant mood. Despite Lazio’s recent heroics on the road, the Giallorossi appear to be in a prime position to maintain their dominant record in the derby.