One of the biggest weeks in the history of Roma could be completed with a derby win over Lazio on Sunday after they knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League against all odds. The two sides that fight it out in one of Italy’s biggest derbies on Sunday couldn’t be closer in the table, both on 60 points. Lazio’s goal difference is superior by 11 goals but whoever wins will take 3^rd spot.

STATS

• Lazio have had a great season in the league but after being dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday night by Red Bull Salzburg, it might be seen as a failure. Their league form hasn’t been great because of their cup commitments and they have won just two of their last five Serie A games. They managed to beat Udinese 2-1 in their last league fixture.
• Roma have had an equally good season and a place in the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool is a huge opportunity to show how good they are. They’ve won three of their last five in the league but a draw and a loss in their last two matches show that their eyes are firmly fixed on Europe. They were disappointingly beaten 2-0 at home by Fiorentina in their last league game.
• Ciro Immobile has been in scintillating form this term and with 27 Serie A goals, he is leading the race for the Italian top-flight Golden Boot.
• One of his early season rivals was Edin Dzeko but he has been struggling to score in the league of late. The Bosnian still has 14 league goals but he would have wanted more.

HEAD TO HEAD

Lazio have got a very poor record against Roma in the league in the last few years. They have lost five of the last six against their local rivals with just one win. The reverse fixture in Serie A earlier in the campaign was won by Roma 2-1 as goals from Radja Nainngolan and Diego Perotti put the game beyond doubt. The last game to have less than two goals between these two sides was over four years ago so this match tends to produce goals.

LAZIO NEWS

With Juventus and Napoli pulling away at the top of the table, the race is 3^rd is the main aim for Lazio. Patric is their only injury problem and that should bring some confidence for the hosts.

Latest matches: Lazio Roma

12.04.2018	UEFA	RB Salzburg	Lazio Roma	4:1	L
08.04.2018	Seri	Udinese Calcio	Lazio Roma	1:2	W
05.04.2018	UEFA	Lazio Roma	RB Salzburg	4:2	W
31.03.2018	Seri	Lazio Roma	Benevento Calcio	6:2	W
18.03.2018	Seri	Lazio Roma	Bologna FC	1:1	D

ROMA NEWS

With a huge semi-final clash on the horizon, Roma won’t want any injuries, especially not to their best players. The only two Roma players currently injured are Perotti and Dick Karsdorp.

Latest matches: AS Roma

10.04.2018	UEFA	AS Roma	FC Barcelona	3:0	W
07.04.2018	Seri	AS Roma	AC Fiorentina	0:2	L
04.04.2018	UEFA	FC Barcelona	AS Roma	4:1	L
31.03.2018	Seri	Bologna FC	AS Roma	1:1	D
18.03.2018	Seri	FC Crotone	AS Roma	0:2	W

SUMMARY

It’s never easy to pick a winner in the Derby della Capitale and with both sides being closer than ever, it couldn’t be harder. Despite them sharing the same stadium, Lazio will be allocated more tickets and that gives them the slight advantage in this one. Roma’s run in the Champions League will make them more wary of full exertion and if it means they can put more focus into the two-legged tie against Liverpool, I’m sure they will accept defeat.