Lazio vs Roma: Preview and Prediction

Lazio vs Roma
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 4 December 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).

The biggest game of the weekend in Italy will arguably be Lazio vs. Roma as they lock horns in the 165th official Derby della Capitale at the Stadio Olimpico.

Both the Giallorossi and the Aquile have had good seasons so far. Roma come into this match in second, whilst Lazio sit in fourth. Each side have won four out of their past five games, and only one point divides the two teams. With Juventus and Atalanta playing the day before, Lazio and Roma will come into this game knowing that whatever outcome happens on Sunday could really shake things up in the battle for a top three spot.

Luciano Spalletti’s troops surely must view that the Scudetto race is back open after Juve’s shock loss to Genoa. And with La Dea being a tricky customer, Roma could find themselves just one point behind should Atalanta manage to shock the reigning champs in Turin.

Key to their success in this fixture will be Edin Dzeko. The big Bosnian attacker has had an excellent season so far, and has netted 12 goals in the league. That sees him tied with Inter’s Mauro Icardi in the race for the Capocannoniere and with Mohamed Salah out and Stephan El Shaarawy in doubt, the pressure will be on him even more to step up and deliver this Sunday.

Lazio, meanwhile, are nine games sans defeat and have won five out of their last six, drawing the other. Under Simone Inzaghi, they have been quietly flying under the radar, but now others are starting to take notice. Although Roma are ahead, their recent win over Pescara – a relegation candidate – was far from convincing. By contrast, Lazio have put in some excellent performances and to date, their only loss at the Stadio Olimpico was to Juventus. And in that game, the Bianconeri had it far from easy to beat them 1-0.

Lazio vs Roma: Head-to-head statistics

• Lazio has a record of W4-D4-L12 in their past 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table.
• Roma has a record of W11-D7-L2 in their past 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• The Giallorossi are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Lazio (W4, D3).
• They haven’t gone eight sans defeat since April 2004.
• The Lupi have won their past three derbies against the Aquile.
• They have not made it four in a row since March 2011.
• Since the 1994/1995 season there have been a whopping 30 red cards distributed in this derby (18 for Lazio, 12 for Roma) – which is more than any other Serie A fixture.
• Lazio have scored at least two goals in five out of their last six home games.
• Roma have scored at least two goals in their last four matches against Lazio across all comps.
• The Biancocelesti have seen over 2.5 goals in eight out of their last 10 meetings with the Giallorossi (across all comps).

Lazio vs Roma: Prediction

Amazingly, Simone Inzaghi nearly didn’t get this job on a permanent basis. Despite taking over from Stefano Pioli last term, he was overlooked in favor of Marcelo Bielsa. However when the Argentinian tactician went AWOL, Inzaghi was brought back in. And the ex-striker has done very well with the Aquile so far. Of the two sides, Lazio appear to be the stronger, as Roma are also dealing with some injuries both in attack and defense. However, the Giallorossi have a stronger record in this fixture, and Lazio haven’t won this fixture since May 26, 2013.

Given that both teams have been involved in high-scoring meetings in the past, expect goals in this one.