Verdict: Lazio win
Best Odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
In what is one of Italy’s most fiercest rivalries, Roma and Lazio will face off at their shared Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night for a derby showdown.
Roma
Starting with Saturday’s hosts on paper, while Roma might have managed to find a much-welcomed boost last week, it appears that it was just a minor bounce for the Serie A strugglers. Saving some face with their 3-2 second-leg victory against Premier League giants Manchester United in the Europa League on May 6th, they also followed that up with a routine 5-0 romp against an already relegated Crotone last weekend. However, despite managing to land back-to-back victories for the first time in a month last week, that was not enough to save Paulo Fonseca’s job. With it confirmed that Jose Mourinho will be taking charge at the Stadio Olimpico come the end of the season, the former Tottenham boss saw his soon-to-be squad put in another worrying display earlier in the week. Now officially unable to secure themselves a top-six finish with just a pair of Serie A matchups remaining this year, Roma were last seen getting hit with a 3-1 defeat away at champions Inter Milan on Wednesday night. In fact, Saturday’s hosts have won just a pair of their last nine matchups across all formats.
Team News
Roma find themselves in the midst of a real injury nightmare with both Chris Smalling and Federico Fazio the latest names to be ruled out this weekend.
The defensive duo join the likes of Amadou Diawara, Riccardo Calafiori, Jordan Veretout and Leonardo Spinazzola on the sidelines.
Lazio
As for Lazio, managing to capitalise off of Roma’s latest slip-up earlier in the week, The Eagles have managed to wrap up a European finish with time to spare. Proving that their shock 2-0 loss away at Fiorentina last weekend was just a minor blip, I Biancocelesti made an immediate return to winning ways on Wednesday night. Picking up a deserved 1-0 win against Parma on home soil, Simone Inzaghi’s side have collected nine points from their last four Serie A contests. With that run highlighted by what was a stunning 3-0 romp against AC Milan on April 26th, it should also be noted that Saturday’s temporary guests have won eight of their last nine top-flight matchups, a run that stems back to the start of March. With the pressure now firmly off their shoulders, Lazio should also be boosted by their most recent meeting against their bitter rivals. When the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture back in January, The Eagles stormed their way to a 3-0 romp and they’re unbeaten in their last four meetings against Roma.
Team News
Lazio are boosted by the news that both Lucas Leiva and Andreas Pereira are set to make their return from suspension this weekend.
However, suffering a facial injury last week, midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will miss out on Saturday night.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture back in January, Lazio picked up a thumping 3-0 win.
- Along with collecting nine points from their last four Serie A contests, Lazio have won eight of their last nine top-flight matchups.
- Roma have managed to win just a pair of their last nine matchups across all formats.
- Likewise, I Giallorossi have won just one of their last six Serie A matchups.
- Lazio are unbeaten in each of their last four meetings against Roma, playing out two wins and two draws.
Conclusion
Managing to make an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week with a 1-0 victory against Parma, Lazio should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Wrapping up another European finish with time to spare and with the pressure now firmly off their shoulders, The Eagles should be looking to lay down another marker this weekend. Winning eight of their last nine top-flight contests, including a thumping 3-0 win against AC Milan, Roma might face another stern derby day showdown on Saturday night. Slumping back to losing ways with a 3-1 defeat away at Inter Milan on Wednesday, I Giallorossi have shown a host of issues over the past month. With it appearing that their back-to-back wins last week were just a minor boost, they have mustered just a single win from their last six Serie A contests. With Lazio landing a 3-0 win when the two sides met back in January, don’t be surprised to see a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Lazio win
Best Odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
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