Lazio vs AS Roma: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Few derbies in Europe are as heated and intense as Lazio vs AS Roma, the worldwide known Derby della Capitale, and the Stadio Olimpico will be the venue where these two heavyweights of Italian football will collide on Sunday. However, this derby takes a whole new meaning when looking at how close these two sides are in the standings.

Lazio have a two-point advantage over AS Roma in sixth place, meaning that if the season ended today, Lazio would secure a spot in the UEFA Conference League, whereas Roma wouldn’t play in Europe. Thus, this is a huge matchup for both clubs, especially since a Top-4 finish remains within reach for both teams with six matches left to play after this round.

Lazio Need A Bounce-Back Performance

Thursday next week can’t come soon enough for Lazio, as the Serie A giants need to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Bodo Glimt in their quest to reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. However, they need to focus on this derby first, because a loss to Roma could complicate their chances of playing in Europe next season considerably.

The reality is that Lazio are in dire need of a bounce-back performance, and they’ve been slumping of late in terms of results. They’ve won just one of their last five matches across all competitions (W1, D2, L2), and those games have seen goals being hard to come by. Four of those five outings have finished with two or fewer goals, with the lone exception being a 5-0 thumping loss at Bologna on March 16 just before the international break.

Lazio Injury & Suspension News

Lazio will be without one of their top attacking threats in Nuno Tavares, with the Arsenal loanee being sidelined due to a muscular injury. Patric (foot) and Arijon Ibrahimovic (undisclosed) are also out.

Roma Aiming to Extend Positive Run

While Lazio are in dire need of a bounce-back performance in this matchup, Roma can be confident about their chances based on their recent results. The Giallorossi are coming off a 1-1 draw against Juventus the last time out, and that means they’ve lost just once in their last five matches in all competitions (W3, D1, L1), although they got knocked out of the UEFA Europa League by Athletic Club in that span.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Roma also enter this game with a slight psychological advantage. Aside from the fact that their recent form has been much better than Lazio’s, and that they’re fully rested since they didn’t play Thursday, it’s also worth noting that Roma go into this game on a three-game undefeated run against their arch-rivals in league play, winning their last two. Roma have managed to keep a clean sheet in both wins.

AS Roma Injury & Suspension News

AS Roma should be quite strong for this matchup. The lone notable absence due to injury is Paulo Dybala, who will miss the rest of the season with a muscular problem.

Lazio vs AS Roma Prediction

The derbies between Lazio vs AS Roma tend to be quite intense, and Sunday’s game won’t be the exception. However, goals have been hard to come by when these two rivals collide. The last six H2H meetings across all competitions have finished with under 2.5 goals, and five of those even recorded under 1.5 total goals. Expect another low-scoring affair this Sunday, especially since neither team can afford a defeat based on their position in the standings.

CryptoGamba tip: Under 2.5 goals – 1.74 @JackBit.