Serie A Preview: Roma vs Lazio – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Stadio Olimpico sets the stage for the latest edition of the iconic Derby della Capitale between eternal Serie A rivals Roma and Lazio. With Atalanta, Milan, Juventus, and Inter away on Supercoppa Italiana duties, both teams are keen to take advantage on Sunday and consolidate their lofty ambitions.

Roma no longer have a margin for error if they’re to fight their way back into the European qualification race. Paulo Dybala salvaged a point for Claudio Ranieri’s side in a 1-1 stalemate at Milan to end the calendar year on a promising note.

However, with only 20 points from the opening 18 league outings, Roma entered 2025 in mid-table, trailing sixth-placed Juventus by 12 points. Needless to say, a defeat here would likely halt their hopes of securing continental football next season.

Given the circumstances, Lazio are the last opposition Roma would want to face this weekend. Firmly embroiled in a ruthless top-four race, Marco Baroni’s men are keen to atone for recent slumps and recover ground on table-topping Atalanta.

Not long ago, Lazio seemed capable of causing havoc in an intense Scudetto race. However, Baroni’s charges have run out of steam following an emphatic start to the season, going winless in three of their last five league outings (D1, L2).

Conceding a late equalizer in a 1-1 home draw against Atalanta at the tail-end of 2024 deepened frustration in the Lazio camp. Yet, they can undo those wrongs with a win against fiercest rivals, which would see them close the gap on the table’s summit to only three points.

Match Preview

Roma

With 15 points separating them from Lazio before the kick-off, there’s more than just bragging rights at stake for Roma. Ranieri is keen to prove the Giallorossi aren’t damaged beyond repair, and there’s no better way to do it than beating Lazio.

Roma snapped a four-game winless streak against the Biancocelesti last term, squeezing to a 1-0 victory in April. Furthermore, they kept a clean sheet in both league meetings with Lazio in 2023/24. That’s music to Ranieri’s ears, considering his team has stuttered in high-profile matches.

Consistency hasn’t been Roma’s strong suit by any stretch of the imagination. Yet to draw a home league game this term, Roma have won five of their nine top-flight outings at the Olimpico (L4). Against this backdrop, they’ve emerged victorious from their last four home games.

Lazio

Lazio’s quest to cover themselves in Scudetto glory for the first time since 1999/2000 is on the line. Any mistake could prove costly for Baroni, whose managerial record against Roma doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Indeed, the ex-Hellas Verona coach has lost five of his seven previous duels against the Giallorossi in the dugout (W1, D1). Therefore, he’ll have an added motive to succeed in his maiden Derby della Capitale appearance.

Though this isn’t an away fixture in its strictest sense, Lazio can draw heart from their recent ‘road’ performances. They’ve won five of their last seven ‘away’ games. Moreover, their away league record is a spitting image of Roma’s home results (W5, L4).

If nothing, it suggests three points will go one way.

Team News

Apart from long-term absentee Bryan Cristante, Roma will have the remainder of the squad fit and ready for Sunday’s blockbuster. Dybala should again join forces with Artem Dovbyk in attack, with Stephan El Shaarawy likely to play a supporting role.

On the other hand, Lazio will be without several first-team stars. Baroni can’t call upon the services of Pedro, Tijjani Noslin, Matias Vecino, and Manuel Lazzari. All eyes will be on Taty Castellanos and Mattia Zaccagni. They’ve had their hand in 45% of Lazio’s league goals this term (15/33).

Roma vs Lazio Potential Starting Line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Ndicka, Hummels, Mancini; Angelino, Paredes, Pisilli, Saelemaekers; El Shaarawy, Dybala; Dovbyk.

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Tavares, Romagnoli, Gila, Marusic; Guendouzi, Rovella; Zaccagni, Dele-Bashiru, Isaksen; Castellanos.

Roma vs Lazio Prediction

Despite only beating three clubs more often than Lazio in his career, Ranieri boasts a narrowly positive managerial record against this opposition (W12, D6, L10). A 13th triumph could mark the turning point for Roma.

Lazio would probably kiss goodbye to their Scudetto aspirations unless they can stop Ranieri in his tracks. With the stakes at an all-time high heading into the encounter, another low-scoring event could be in store as we envisage an unpopular share of the spoils.