Match Preview – S.S Lazio vs A.S Roma

Match Preview – S.S Lazio vs A.S Roma [VIDEO]

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With a second place finish and an automatic Champions League spot on the line, this Roman derby is sure to be a classic.

At present, Roma sit one point clear of Lazio with the Biancoceleste a further three points ahead of Napoli in fourth who have already lost their round 37 game to Juventus this morning 3-1. The ‘Derby della Capitale’ therefore has added meaning this week, as both Roman sides battle for a well earned second place in Serie A, and with it the coveted second automatic Champions League place.

Lazio enter this crucial encounter off the back of a disheartening extra-time 2-1 loss to Juventus mid-week in the Coppa Italia and recent ordinary form in Serie A seeing only two wins from their last six. They will, however, be pleased to have Stefan de Vrij back in the side that got through a solid 106 minutes in the Coppa Italia final.

Roma started the season as worthy challenges to Juventus’ title aspirations, but after suffering eight draws from nine games through January to March fell off the pace. They will be well rested after a nine day break from their recent win against Udinese and will be confident after winning three of their last four matches.

Key Battle – Stefan de Vrij v Francesco Totti

No player has scored more goals in the history of the Rome Derby than Francesco Totti. He has hit the back of the net 11 times in this fixture, including two goals the last time they met. There is no question that this derby gets the best out of Totti and it will be up to de Vrij to stop him from asserting himself on this occasion.  Back from injury, the Dutchman’s importance to Lazio this season has been immense and if he can limit the Roma hero’s impact it will go a long way to the Biancoceleste winning the game.

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Team News

Stefano Pioli is expected to field a largely unchanged side to the one that faced Juventus in the Coppa Italia. Seeing de Vrij back after injury and through the game unscathed means he will certainly take his place in the Lazio defence. The same cannot be said for Stefan Radu, who has been ruled out with injury. Danilo Cataldi will keep his place in midfield due to continued absence of Lucas Biglia and will be joined by the returning Stefano Mauri. Federico Marchetti should also return in-between the posts after serving his suspension for his red card against Inter Milan.

Lazio expected starting XI: (4-2-3-1): Marchetti (GK); Lulic, de Vrij, Gentiletti, Basta, Parolo, Cataldi, Anderson, Mauri, Candreva, Klose.

Roma are expected to make three changes from their 2-1 win over Udinese last round. Davide Astori and Alessandro Florenzi are likely to return to the starting line-up in place of Jose Holebas and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. The other possible change for the Giallorossi would see Adem Ljajic into the starting XI at the expense of Juan Manuel Iturbe.

Roma expected starting XI: (4-3-3): De Sanctis (GK); Astori, Florenzi, Torosidis, Manolas, Nainggolan, Pjanjic, De Rossi, Ljajic, Totti, Ibarbo

Head-to-head

Lazio have had the better of this fixture in recent times, winning four of the last eight, losing only once. Overall Roma hold the advantage winning 64 games to Lazio’s 48.

Previous Meeting

Despite Roma dominating possession it was Lazio that were the most threatening in front of goal going into half time with a 2-0 lead with goals to Felipe Anderson and Stefano Mauri.  The game, however, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Totti scoring both of Roma’s goals. The match will live in the memory for Totti’s ‘selfie’ celebration, after scoring, he ran to the bench to get a mobile phone and took a selfie with the Roma fans behind him.

Prediction

Given Napoli’s loss to Juventus overnight has secured Roma’s place in the Champions League it could be assumed that Lazio are the team with more to play for. Stefano Pioli will also have a big task in getting his team focused on this game after the heart wrenching loss in the Coppa Italia. This game is a Rome Derby and I wouldn’t expect anything other than both teams going for each other’s necks with little separating the sides.

Lazio 1 Roma 1

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