Sunday’s Serie A motion closes out with the newest version of the well-known Derby della Capitale rivalry between Lazio and Roma. The stakes are excessive for the everlasting rivals as they vie for a sought-after top-four end.
It’s been almost 96 years for the reason that first iteration of this iconic fixture, however there’s no love misplaced between Lazio and Roma. Certainly, each groups head into this 162nd Serie A derby with excessive ambitions, looking for extra than simply bragging rights.
Lazio’s pursuit of a second top-four end in three years bought again on monitor final weekend as Gustav Isaksen’s second-half winner impressed Marco Baroni’s facet to a vital 1-0 victory at Atalanta. In doing so, Lazio snapped an underwhelming three-game winless run (D2, L1).
Moreover, they’ve closed the hole to fourth-placed Bologna to a mere two factors heading into the ultimate seven rounds. Lagging two factors behind their fiercest rivals, Roma hauled again a halftime deficit to carry Juventus to a 1-1 draw on the Stadio Olimpico final weekend.
Nevertheless, Claudio Ranieri’s males relinquished an attention grabbing seven-match profitable streak in Serie A, lacking a golden likelihood to win eight on the trot for the primary time in seven years. Regardless of that setback, a four-point deficit to Bologna leaves them firmly in rivalry for a top-four end.
Out of the Europa League, Roma’s solely likelihood to safe Champions League qualification is to interrupt into Serie A’s prime 4 for the primary time since 2017/18. It will be a becoming method for Ranieri to wave goodbye to the Olimpico crowd on the finish of his closing managerial season.
Match Preview
Lazio
Revenge will drive Lazio ahead on this blockbuster assembly as they purpose to settle the account with Roma after back-to-back defeats, together with a 2-0 loss in January’s reverse fixture. One other failure would see the Biancocelesti lose three consecutive Derby della Capitale editions for the primary time since 2016 and fall additional behind within the all-time report (W42, D61, L58).
Nevertheless, Lazio’s present kind can’t encourage a lot confidence. Regardless of rising victorious from a frightening journey to Bergamo final weekend, Baroni’s facet slumped to a dismal 2-0 defeat at Bodo/Glimt within the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday. That consequence means they’ve solely received certainly one of their final six matches throughout all competitions (D3, L2), casting doubt on their lofty aspirations forward of this conflict.
On prime of that, Lazio have drawn their final 4 dwelling video games, three of which ended 1-1, together with a pair of irritating stalemates towards Torino and Udinese in Serie A. But when it’s any comfort, they’ve not misplaced to Roma because the designated dwelling staff on the day since 2016 (W6, D3).
Roma
Regardless of dropping two factors towards Juventus, Roma head into proceedings amid an unimaginable 15-game unbeaten run in Serie A (W11, D4), with solely Paris Saint-Germain boasting an extended energetic streak in Europe’s conventional top-five leagues. Additional confidence comes from Roma’s current touring report.
Although they’re the ‘guests’ solely technically, Ranieri’s prices have received their final 5 away league video games, together with the newest 4 by way of an equivalent 1-0 scoreline. Nevertheless, it’s been almost a decade since Roma final beat Lazio because the ‘away’ staff, an ominous custom that threatens to undermine their top-four quest.
Ranieri may very well be the proper man to finish that undesirable run after profitable his first 4 derbies accountable for the Giallorossi. One other victory right here would see him turn out to be the joint-most profitable supervisor within the Derby della Capitale historical past, highlighting how motivated the 73-year-old might be to take all three factors this weekend.
Staff Information
Lazio might be with out defensive property Patric and Nuno Tavares on Sunday. Nevertheless, midfield mainstay Nicolo Rovella returns from a one-game suspension, whereas Ivan Provedel ought to regain his place between the sticks after overcoming a minor health downside.
In the meantime, Roma can’t rely on standout ahead Paulo Dybala and Saudi right-back Saud Abdulhamid. On the intense facet, Alexis Saelemaekers returns from suspension and can seemingly slot straight again into the beginning XI alongside Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Lazio vs Roma Potential Beginning 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 of the makings of a ‘make or break’ contest for either side. Given what’s at stake, a cagey affair may very well be on the playing cards, and there’s a sense Roma would profit in such circumstances.
Prediction: Roma to Win
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