Lazio vs Roma-Preview and Prediction

Only one point separates resurgent rivals Lazio and Roma as they prepare for battle at the Stadio Olimpico in Sunday’s 145th Derby della Capitale.

It’s some time since the gladiatorial foes were in such rude health heading into a local skirmish, with both occupying top-four positions.

Lazio won 1-0 at 10-man Palermo last weekend to inflict a club-record seventh straight loss upon their beleaguered hosts, thereby extending an unbeaten streak to nine, which last occurred in January 2013.

Rookie boss Simone Inzaghi has afforded his charges the freedom to express themselves, thus delivering the club’s best points total at this stage of the season (28) for 13 years, when a touted Scudetto challenge disappointingly crumbled into a sixth-place finish.

Forward Felipe Anderson has benefitted spectacularly under the new regime, having provided five assists, already better than last term’s total (four).

Another star brimming with confidence is the predatory Ciro Immobile, who appears to have settled following sorry spells with Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla. He is one of only two ever-presents, alongside Marco Parolo, and has notched nine League strikes.

Luis Alberto is unavailable because of a torn abductor muscle, but key men Federico Marchetti (calf) and Stefan de Vrij (metatarsal) are mercifully nearing returns after two and six games out respectively. The pair will be assessed, but may not be risked.

A solitary point above them sit Roma, who briefly stumbled with a first defeat in seven at surprise packages Atalanta two weeks ago, but subsequently scrambled a 3-2 home triumph over Pescara despite surrendering a seemingly comfortable two-goal cushion.

Edin Dzeko’s early brace brought his tally to 12 goals in 14 appearances, a feat that he hadn’t previously achieved at the beginning of any campaign throughout spells in Germany, England and Italy.

Their abundant creativity – particularly from the flanks – and an 18.6 shots-per-match ratio have delivered a League-leading 33 goals from 14 outings, which Roma last recorded way back in 1934-35.

Coach Luciano Spalletti has assorted worries to contend with in the shape of crocked Alessandro Florenzi (cruciate ligament) and Leandro Paredes, who is expected to be out for at least a fortnight due to a sprained ankle.

Of more pressing concern, though, is influential winger Mohamed Salah, whose own ankle knock during midweek training puts his 100 per cent attendance under threat and could force a major reshuffle. Stephan El Shaarawy is also in doubt, so Spalletti could switch to a 3-5-2 formation, one Lazio have used a few times this season. That should allow Roma to control the midfield and clog up the wide attacks of Keita and Felipe Anderson.

An open contest is eminently possible, as both sides remain among Serie A’s top-four collective goal-getters. However, it’ll come down to whichever defence successfully prevents their counterparts’ productive supply lines that will ultimately prevail, with the Biancocelesti slightly the stingier by two goals to date.

Keep an eye on: Diego Perotti (Roma) – Argentine attacker Perotti provided two assists in a single Serie A game for the first time in his career versus Pescara. He also claimed and converted the winning penalty to cap a fine individual performance. The tricky 28-year-old is revelling in arguably his best-ever form and will be aiming for more of the same on Sunday.

Form Guide: Lazio (W W D W W) Roma (W L W D W)

Last season: Lazio 1-4 Roma

Stat fact: Lazio haven’t tasted victory in any of their last seven Serie A derbies against Roma, managing three draws and four defeats (including the last three on the bounce) since a 3-2 thriller in November 2012. There was, of course, the 1-0 Coppa Italia Final triumph of May 2013.

Top tip: Score-draw

Lazio (probable): Strakosha; Basta, Wallace, Radu, Lulic; Parolo, Biglia, Milinkovic-Savic; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Keita

Suspended: None

Roma (probable): Szczesny; Rudiger, Manolas, Fazio; Peres, Strootman, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Emerson Palmieri; Perotti, Dzeko

Suspended: None

Predic 1-1