Lazio vs AS Roma 03/03/2019

03 March 2019

The 172nd Derby della Capitale between Lazio and AS Roma that takes place at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend will see two sides battling it out for the Champions League promotion.

Currently sitting seven points beyond fourth-placed AC Milan, the Bianconeri have to wrap up all three points here to keep their hopes of ensuring the CL football alive. However, the ‘hosts’ are not going through the best of times, having suffered three losses in their last five SA fixtures (W2, L3). The Eagles have struggled to cope with the likes of best Italian teams, losing five of seven clashes with top-five sides, while failing to pick up a victory (D2, L5). Another reason for concern is the fact Lazio failed to preserve a clean slate in seven consecutive SA home outings before beating Empoli 1-0. Additionally, Simone Inzaghi’s men have not only scored 2+ match goals just once in their last six home games across all competitions, but they have also drawn a blank in back-to-back home appearances ahead of this clash.

On the other hand, the ‘visitors’ have racked up an eight-game SA unbeaten run (W6, D2) preventing AC Milan from extending a one-point gap between the sides. What’s more, the Giallorossi have secured three successive league triumphs, bagging 2+ match goals in each. After scoring just eight goals in their opening nine SA away clashes, Eusebio Di Francesco’s men seem to have rediscovered their ‘killer instinct’ in the final third, netting 11 goals on their last four SA road trips. Tempted by the prospect of dumping Lazio out of the CL promotion race, Roma look to stretch their three-game unbeaten run against the bitter rivals (W2, D1).