Prediction: AS Roma vs Lazio

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: bet365

The last edition of Derby della Capitale this season will not be deciding the outcome of the title chase or the top 3 race, but it could either help AS Roma edge closer to automatic Champions League berth or give Napoli a lifeline ahead of the final four fixtures of the campaign, with Lazio obviously hoping to spoil the party for their bitter rivals.

AS Roma

It is now clear that AS Roma will not be able to prevent holders Juventus from defending the Serie A trophy, but they have definitely made a step in the right direction with this campaign. After finishing third with 80 points last term, the Giallorossi stand a good chance of finishing the season as runners up, and having won 75 points with 5 games to go, last season’s tally is likely to be surpassed. The AS Roma faithful have every reason to look forward to the new campaign, especially since the club appear to have secured the signature of transfer guru Monchi, who is widely tipped to take the Giallorossi to the next level. It remains to be seen whether head coach Luciano Spalletti will be replaced, as it seems that not all key men enjoy working with the former Udinese boss. Speaking of the Derby della Capitale against Lazio, AS Roma head into the game in very good spirits, having won seven of their last eight games in all competitions, and no wonder they have been made odds on favourites to win the high-profile game.

Team News

Luciano Spalletti welcomes back Daniele De Rossi from an ankle injury, but Alessandro Florenzi remains in the treatment room.

Lazio

Having spent quite a few years struggling to live up to the billing, Lazio began to show some improvement, with both Stefano Pioli and his successor Simone Inzaghi doing well at Stadio Olimpico. For the third time in a row, the Biancocelesti look set to finish in top 4, but the problem is that they will again miss out on Champions League qualification. The one time they did qualify, Lazio were knocked out in the play-offs, meaning it has now been nine years since they played in the UCL group stages. After doing well to make it to the Coppa Italia final, the Biancocelesti missed a perfect opportunity to improve their top 3 hopes as they were beaten by rivals Napoli, losing 3-0 at their Stadio Olimpico. And having also shared spoils with Genoa in the very next game, Simone Inzaghi’s side now sit seven points behind Champions League positions with five games to go. Lazio did manage to return to the right track last weekend, hammering Palermo 6-2, with wantaway forward Balde Keita bagging a five-minute hat-trick and Ciro Immobile scoring a brace. With the two players having scored 31 league goals between them in the current campaign, they could prove a handful for AS Roma defenders.

Team News

Stefan Radu could return to the side after recovering from injury, but Federico Marchetti misses out. Simone Inzaghi has a number of dilemmas regarding team selection and he is even pondering leaving Keita on the bench.

Key Factors to Consider

• AS Roma won seven of last eight fixtures (D1)
• Both teams scored in three of their last four games
• AS Roma recorded 3-2 win over Lazio three weeks ago (Coppa Italia)
• A total of 23 goals were scored in Lazio’s last three matches
• Edin Dzeko (25) and Ciro Immobile (20) are among the league’s top goalscorers

Verdict

Derby della Capitale matches tend to be thoroughly exciting affairs and after the five-goal encounter in Coppa Italia we expect to see more of the same. Both sides are bagging goals for fun at the moment and neither would be too happy with a share of spoils.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: bet365