Roma vs. Lazio – Serie A: Match Preview & Predicted Lineups | OneFootball

One of football’s fiercest rivalries kicks-off this weekend as Roma and Lazio prepare to meet in the Rome Derby.

Marked by a season of opposite fortunes, Roma and Lazio face-off on Sunday in this season’s first edition of the Derby della Capitale. Coming off a good performance against Milan at San Siro, the Giallorossi hope to stay on course after a dismal campaign thus far.

Meanwhile, visitors Lazio will be aiming for all three points as they continue their trek towards Champions League qualification.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20.45 CET on Sunday evening at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma

Sitting 10th in the table, it’s safe to say the first half of Roma’s season hasn’t gone according to script.

Veteran coach Claudio Ranieri has ushered in a sense of stability and, most importantly, delivered positive results after a turbulent start to the 2024/25 campaign. Despite a season marred by underwhelming performances and dropped points, Ranieri admitted the Derby offers his side the perfect opportunity to earn momentum given the league table often takes a backseat in the fiery Roman Derby,

“For me, the Derby is the city coming together, it’s the game to end all games. It hits you more than other matches,” he told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

“The league standings speak for themselves—Lazio have had a great first half of the season. They’ve been exceptional, playing pacy football, not messing about in their build-up play. They’re a team to be reckoned with. On the other hand, the Derby is the Derby and it has its own story.”

Roma will have the majority of their squad available with Bryan Cristante and possibly Zeki Celik, who’s dealing with flu-link symptoms, the only exceptions.

Barring any major surprises, Ranieri is expected to continue with the similar 3-4-2-1/3-5-2 formation he’s used in recent weeks against Parma and Milan—the only question mark surrounding whether he’ll use an extra attacker in Stephan El Shaarawy or midfielder in Nicolo Pisilli.

Regardless, Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk, the team’s joint top scorers, will be tasked with leading the attack with veteran trio Gianluca Mancini, Mats Hummels, and Evan Ndicka rounding out the defence.

Lazio

Unlike their counterparts, Lazio have soared this season under new manager Marco Baroni. The Biancocelesti enter this weekend’s clash sitting 4th in Serie A and a full 15 points ahead of their rivals.

Despite the large gulf in points, Baroni highlighted Roma’s turnaround under Claudio Ranieri and warned his side about the potential danger posed by the Giallorossi.

“The derby is pure passion and Rome has a different kind of passion compared to other places,” Baroni stated during Saturday’s press conference.

“Those who do this job dream of experiencing these games. The higher the level, the more you know that you are doing an important job and you have to be up to the task of managing pressure and stress.”

Adding, “In the last five games, Roma have earned the same points as us—since Ranieri’s arrival they have scored twice as many as before. We are facing a very dangerous, solid and balanced opponent. It will be a beautiful match.”

In team news, Lazio will be forced to deal with key absences with veteran trio Matias Vecino, Manuel Lazzarri, and Pedro all unavailable due to injury.

With his options limited, Baroni is set to stick with the same 4-3-3 formation that he used against Atalanta, with 10 out of 11 starters unchanged. In attack, Taty Castellanos is set to lead the line, supported by captain Mattia Zaccagni and Gustav Isaksen.

Predicted Lineups

ROMA (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saeleaekers, Konè, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk

Unavailable: Zeki Celik, Bryan Cristante

LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella, Dele Bashiru; Isaksen, Castellanos, Zaccagni

Unavailable: Matias Vecino, Manuel Lazzarri, Pedro, Patric