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

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.