Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In a showdown between two of Europe’s most fierce rivals, Roma and Lazio will meet at their shared home of the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday lunchtime.
Roma
Starting with Roma, while the Wolves might have endured a stuttering start when opening up 2026, Gian Piero Gasperini’s high-flying squad have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Last seen securing a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Parma, they have come skyrocketing up the Serie A standings and they open Sunday’s heavyweight showdown with just their goal difference keeping them outside of the Champions League spots. Getting May underway with a dominant 4-0 romp at home against Fiorentina, the former Atalanta boss certainly finds the mood in his camp at a season-high. Looking to collect local bragging rights against their arch-rivals this weekend, Gasperini’s side have won all of their previous three consecutive Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 9-2. Likewise, finding a real clinical edge in the final third, Roma have also registered 13 points from their last five top-flight battles.
Roma Team News
Suffering yet another ankle injury back in January and undergoing surgery, Roma have confirmed that Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson will miss the remainder of the campaign. Likewise, Ukrainian international Artem Dovbyk remains on the sidelines with a long-term groin issue.
Embarking on what has been an astonishing run of form since completing a January loan switch from Aston Villa and notching 13 goals in his 16 Serie A appearances, the red-hot Donyell Malen will lead the line here. Gaining plenty of plaudits since arriving from Atletico Madrid last summer, Spanish international Mario Hermoso will start at the heart of Roma’s defence.
Lazio
As for Lazio, suffering Coppa Italia heartbreak on home soil in midweek as they eventually slumped to a 2-0 loss against newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan, Maurizio Sarri’s have failed to find any kind of stability this season. Already accepting that they will be unable to book any kind of European adventure for next year, the former Chelsea boss has also found some serious pressure on his shoulders. Signing off April with a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against Udinese, the Eagles have mustered just a single win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes. Likewise, hit with a 1-0 loss when they met their arch-rivals for their reverse Serie A showdown on September 21st, they hold a nightmare recent record against Roma. In fact, Sarri’s inconsistent squad have registered just one-point from any of their previous four top-flight battles.
Lazio Team News
Not featuring since the start of March and still sidelined after suffering a broken collarbone, Lazio will once again be without Italian goalkeeper Ivan Provedel here. However, aside from the one-time Empoli shot-stopper, Sarri’s side have reported a clean bill of health.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench during Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final defeat against Inter Milan, academy graduate Nicolo Rovella should be handed a full recall. While Dutch striker Tijjani Noslin might have notched just a pair of Serie A strikes since the middle of February, the 26-year-old should keep his spot leading the line.
Roma vs Lazio Key Factors to Consider
- When Roma and Lazio last met for their reverse Serie A showdown back on September 21st, the Wolves claimed a 1-0 victory.
- In fact, Roma are unbeaten in each of their previous four consecutive Serie A meetings against their arch-rivals (three wins, one draw).
- Along with winning all of their last three straight Serie A appearances, Roma have also registered 13 points from their previous five top-flight matchups.
- Including their Coppa Italia heartbreak against Inter Milan in midweek, Lazio have mustered just a single win from their previous five appearances within 90 minutes.
- Likewise, Lazio have registered just a single clean sheet from their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
Opening their penultimate Serie A showdown on Sunday lunchtime with just their goal difference keeping them outside of the Champions League spots, Roma face what could be a season-defining battle here. Landing a 1-0 victory when they met their arch-rivals back on September 21st, the Wolves do hold a rampant recent record. In fact, registering 10 points from their last four Serie A meetings against their most fierce foes, we are backing a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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