Roma, Lazio set for crucial Derby showdown

This weekend’s latest installment of the Derby della Capitale will feature two sides both fighting for European football as both Roma and Lazio find themselves in tight races for both the Champions League and the Europa League. The Giallorossi, who are coming off a last-gasp victory over Frosinone, currently sit 5th in the Serie A table with 44 points while city rivals Lazio sit 6th in the table with 38 points, however, they do have a match in hand.

After an incredibly poor start to their campaign, the Giallorossi are on an eight match unbeaten streak despite their unimpressive defensive record. Simone Inzaghi’s side, though, enter the match in poor form as they’ve won only once in their previous five matches in all competitions. The Biancocelesti have struggled with injuries this campaign, especially at the back, as they’ll aim to potentially catch Roma in the table with a Derby victory and a win in their match in hand against Udinese. The match will be take place at the Stadio Olimpico on 2 March at 20.30 CET.

Probable formations

Lazio (3-5-1-1): Strakosha; Patric, Acerbi, Radu; Romulo, Parolo, Lucas Leiva, Milinkovic-Savic, Lulic; Luis Alberto; Immobile

Roma (4-3-3): Olsen; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Cristante, De Rossi, Pellegrini; Zaniolo, Dzeko, El Shaarawy

Form (Last Five)

Roma: W-W-W-D-D

Lazio: L-W-W-L-L

Key numbers

- Lazio have won only two of their previous five home matches in Serie A.
- Roma have lost only one of their previous five away matches in Serie A.
- Since his arrival in 2015, Edin Dzeko has scored only twice against Lazio.
- Roma have scored at least three goals in their previous three away matches in Serie A.
- In their previous five home matches in all competitions, Lazio have scored more than one goal in a match only once.

Key match-up

Federico Fazio vs. Ciro Immobile

Argentina international and former Spurs man Federico Fazio has had his worst campaign at Roma since his arrival in 2016 and has been arguably one of the worst performers for Eusebio Di Francesco. The towering defender has made several mistakes this season and has been incredibly error-prone this campaign than in previous years, leading to several conceded goals. As a collective, though, the Giallorossi have struggled mightily at the back this season and will need Fazio to raise his performances during this crucial stretch as they’ll face Porto in the Champions League next week following their Derby encounter with Lazio.

Ciro Immobile, meanwhile, will look to build on his three-goal Derby tally and the 11 goals he’s managed this season in Serie A . With Fazio’s struggles this season and Manolas coming off an ankle injury, the Biancocelesti striker could look to take advantage of the Giallorossi’s struggling back-line. Immobile has managed only one goal in Serie A since 8 December, but he has haunted Roma in the past and it will be crucial for Eusebio Di Francesco’s men to keep the ex-Toro man quiet.