Serie A Preview: Lazio vs Roma – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Sunday’s Serie A action closes out with the latest edition of the famous Derby della Capitale rivalry between Lazio and Roma. The stakes are high for the eternal rivals as they vie for a sought-after top-four finish.

It’s been nearly 96 years since the first iteration of this iconic fixture, but there’s no love lost between Lazio and Roma. Indeed, both teams head into this 162nd Serie A derby with high ambitions, seeking more than just bragging rights.

Lazio’s pursuit of a second top-four finish in three years got back on track last weekend as Gustav Isaksen’s second-half winner inspired Marco Baroni’s side to a crucial 1-0 victory at Atalanta. In doing so, Lazio snapped an underwhelming three-game winless run (D2, L1).

Furthermore, they’ve closed the gap to fourth-placed Bologna to a mere two points heading into the final seven rounds. Lagging two points behind their fiercest rivals, Roma hauled back a halftime deficit to hold Juventus to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend.

However, Claudio Ranieri’s men relinquished an eye-catching seven-match winning streak in Serie A, missing a golden chance to win eight on the trot for the first time in seven years. Despite that setback, a four-point deficit to Bologna leaves them firmly in contention for a top-four finish.

Out of the Europa League, Roma’s only chance to secure Champions League qualification is to break into Serie A’s top four for the first time since 2017/18. It would be a fitting way for Ranieri to wave goodbye to the Olimpico crowd at the end of his final managerial season.

Match Preview

Lazio

Revenge will drive Lazio forward in this blockbuster meeting as they aim to settle the account with Roma after back-to-back defeats, including a 2-0 loss in January’s reverse fixture. Another failure would see the Biancocelesti lose three consecutive Derby della Capitale editions for the first time since 2016 and fall further behind in the all-time record (W42, D61, L58).

However, Lazio’s current form cannot inspire much confidence. Despite emerging victorious from a daunting trip to Bergamo last weekend, Baroni’s side slumped to a dismal 2-0 defeat at Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday. That result means they’ve only won one of their last six matches across all competitions (D3, L2), casting doubt on their lofty aspirations ahead of this clash.

On top of that, Lazio have drawn their last four home games, three of which ended 1-1, including a pair of frustrating stalemates against Torino and Udinese in Serie A. But if it’s any consolation, they’ve not lost to Roma as the designated home team on the day since 2016 (W6, D3).

Roma

Despite dropping two points against Juventus, Roma head into proceedings amid an incredible 15-game unbeaten run in Serie A (W11, D4), with only Paris Saint-Germain boasting a longer active streak in Europe’s traditional top-five leagues. Further confidence comes from Roma’s recent traveling record.

Though they’re the ‘visitors’ only technically, Ranieri’s charges have won their last five away league games, including the most recent four via an identical 1-0 scoreline. However, it’s been nearly a decade since Roma last beat Lazio as the ‘away’ team, an ominous tradition that threatens to undermine their top-four quest.

Ranieri could be the perfect man to end that unwanted run after winning his first four derbies in charge of the Giallorossi. Another victory here would see him become the joint-most successful manager in the Derby della Capitale history, highlighting how motivated the 73-year-old will be to take all three points this weekend.

Team News

Lazio will be without defensive assets Patric and Nuno Tavares on Sunday. However, midfield mainstay Nicolo Rovella returns from a one-game suspension, while Ivan Provedel should regain his place between the sticks after overcoming a minor fitness problem.

Meanwhile, Roma cannot count on standout forward Paulo Dybala and Saudi right-back Saud Abdulhamid. On the bright side, Alexis Saelemaekers returns from suspension and will likely slot straight back into the starting XI alongside Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Lazio vs Roma Potential Starting Line-ups

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Soule, Pellegrini; Dovbyk.

Lazio vs Roma Prediction

This mouth-watering showdown has all the makings of a ‘make or break’ contest for both sides. Given what’s at stake, a cagey affair could be on the cards, and there’s a feeling Roma would benefit in such circumstances.